Patriots Rumors: Puzzling Personnel Decision Was Pre-Planned

The Patriots dressed six different wide receivers for Sunday’s matchup against the Chicago Bears.

Kendrick Bourne was the only one who didn’t play in the first half, and though that might have surprised some fans, it was all part of the plan entering the game, according to Andrew Callahan of the Boston Herald.

“Bourne, who played 78% of the team’s offensive snaps the last two games, was informed yesterday afternoon he may not play today as the staff prioritizes playing time for young players,” Callahan posted to X on Sunday.

Bourne has just eight receptions on the season, though he is still working his way back from a serious knee injury that kept him on the physically unable to perform list until Week 5.

New England’s desire to include the rookies certainly makes sense, though it was surprising that K.J. Osborn got the nod over Bourne in certain situations. Osborn, of course, was told something similar before the Week 7 matchup with the Jacksonville Jaguars and made some headlines for his response to the entire ordeal after he ended up playing due to other issues in the receiver room.

Bourne’s demeanor before the game didn’t seem to indicate that he made a big fuss out of the benching, though, which is a nice change of pace for New England.