FOXBORO, Mass. — Kenbrell Thompkins received a warm reception from his quarterback when he re-entered the walls of Gillette Stadium as a member of the New England Patriots.
Thompkins signed to the Patriots’ practice squad last week, and it didn’t take the wide receiver long to get acquainted, already earning practice player of the week honors.
“Me and Tom have a great relationship off the field as well,” Thompkins said Monday. “We’re great friends. We kept in touch with each other. When we saw each other, we gave each other a big hug.”
Thompkins caught 32 passes on 69 targets from Brady in 2013 for 466 yards with four touchdowns, including a game-winner against the New Orleans Saints. He was waived last October and was picked up by the Oakland Raiders, who cut the wideout after training camp this summer.
“I mean, this place is like home to me,” Thompkins said. “This organization took me in as an undrafted rookie. Just to be here and develop that relationship with this organization, it’s a tremendous organization. Just when I had the opportunity to come back, it was something I couldn’t turn down.”
Patriots head coach Bill Belichick hinted that Thompkins might not be long for the practice squad and could compete for a role on the 53-man roster if he continues to impress in practice. Currently, the Patriots have wide receivers Julian Edelman, Danny Amendola, Aaron Dobson, Chris Harper and Matthew Slater on their roster.
Thumbnail photo via Mark L. Baer/USA TODAY Sports Images
