Kendrick Bourne Update: Jerod Mayo Confirms Report On Patriots Wideout

Kendrick Bourne is inching closer to a full return to the New England Patriots.

The veteran wide receiver, who was placed on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list in late August as he recovered from a torn ACL, is eligible to return after he missed the first four games of the season.

Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo on Monday morning confirmed Bourne is expected to return to practice this week. Multiple reports surfaced Sunday expressing that was the plan for Bourne.

"That's the plan," Mayo told reporters one day after New England's 30-13 loss to the San Francisco 49ers.

Mayo told reporters last week Bourne was making "great progress."

Whether or not Bourne takes the field at Gillette Stadium on Sunday is still up in the air. The Patriots have 21 days from Bourne's first practice to elevate him to their 53-man roster. Just because he practices Wednesday does not necessarily mean he will play in Week 5.

Mayo did not have definitive updates on Patriots safety Marte Mapu, who is on injured reserve, or linebacker Sione Takitaki, who started the season on PUP.

Bourne tore his ACL last October. At the time, he led the Patriots in receiving yards and was on pace for a career season despite New England's struggles at quarterback.

The 1-3 Patriots will host the Miami Dolphins at Gillette Stadium on Sunday.