Forgotten Patriots Wide Receiver ‘Close’ To Return From Injury

The New England Patriots wide receivers are in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons early this season.

The unit had a terrible showing in a Week 2 overtime loss to the Seattle Seahawks, making only three catches for 19 yards. DeMario Douglas is frustrated with his role as he received no targets in the matchup against Seattle while the Patriots also try to develop rookie Ja'Lynn Polk and Javon Baker, who had an off-the-field incident prior to the start of the season.

With all that going on, it's easy to forget about Kendrick Bourne.

Bourne, who tore his ACL last October, started this season on the physically unable to perform list as he continues to recover from his significant injury. But first-year Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo let it be known during his pregame interview on 98.5 The Sports Hub on Thursday night that Bourne's return is on the horizon.

"He's done a good job, and he's close," Mayo said as transcribed by the Boston Herald's Doug Kyed.

Bourne is eligible to start practicing with the team once Week 4 concludes and his first game since the injury could come in Week 5 when the Patriots host the Miami Dolphins.

It's clear the Patriots see Bourne as a big part of the offense after signing him to a three-year, $19.5 million deal this offseason. Bourne, who had a career year in his first season with the Patriots in 2021 before seeing a diminished role in the Matt Patricia-led offense the following campaign, hauled in 37 passes for 406 yards with four touchdowns in eight games last season.