The Patriots’ passing game is expected to get a boost this week
Wide receiver Kendrick Bourne is expected to return to practice for the Patriots this week after beginning the season on IR.
Through the first four weeks of the season (pending Monday Night Football) the New England Patriots rank 32 in the NFL in both total passing yards (449) and yards per pass attempts (3.6). As they get ready for week five though, help for that unit could be on the way.
During his Monday morning press conference, Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo told reporters the team plans to have wide receiver Kendrick Bourne return to practice this week. Bourne began the season on PUP after missing the summer while recovering from a torn ACL he suffered last October.
Bourne, 29, was the Patriots’ best receiver – particularly down the field – before getting hurt last season. In eight games before getting hurt he caught 37 passes for 406 yards and four touchdowns.
Once Bourne returns to practice the Patriots will have 21 days to officially activate him on the 53-man roster. The team does currently have an open roster spot, so no corresponding move would need to be made to activate him this week (those moves typically happen the Friday or Saturday before the game). If Bourne is activated he’d make his return against the Miami Dolphins – the team he suffered the injury against last year.
Bourne isn’t the only player who becomes eligible to return for the Patriots this week. Linebacker Sione Takitaki and linebacker/safety Marte Mapu are also eligible after starting the year on PUP and IR, respectively. However, Mayo said on Monday the team still isn’t sure whether or not they’ll return this week, with meetings planned for later on Monday to discuss further.
Linebacker has quickly become a position of need for the Patriots, following the injury to Ja’Whaun Bentley. Safety – particularly box safety – could also be a need after Kyle Dugger got hurt on Sunday.
