What Kendrick Bourne Reported Designation Means For Patriots

Kendrick Bourne will not begin the season on the New England Patriots active roster and thus miss at least the first four games of the regular season.

The Patriots wide receiver, who suffered a torn ACL in late October, will begin the campaign on New England's physically unable to perform (PUP) list, as first reported Tuesday morning by ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. The Boston Herald and MassLive confirmed Fowler's report.

Bourne continued to work his way back from the injury this offseason but never participated in training camp practice. It felt likely Bourne would start the season on PUP given his lack of practice work. He was consistently watching practice from the fields behind Gillette Stadium, though.

Bourne's designation opens up a roster spot, perhaps for another receiver.

New England has five roster locks in DeMario Douglas, Ja'Lynn Polk, Javon Baker, K.J. Osborn and Tyquan Thornton. Jalen Reagor and Kayshon Boutte competed for a roster spot at the end of camp. With Bourne on PUP, it's likely the Patriots keep at least one but there remains a possibility they keep both.

The Patriots need to trim their roster to 53 players by 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday. You can keep up with New England's roster-cutting rumors and reports here.