Patriots Rumors: Key Playmaker Expected To Return To Practice

The Patriots offense started slow after three weeks, but they soon could get a key playmaker back to give them a much-needed boost.

New England pulled off a big upset over the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 1. However, the lack of playmaking wide receivers became evident in the next two weeks. Someone who could help with that is Kendrick Bourne.

The 29-year-old started the season on the physically unable to perform list while he continued his recovery from a torn ACL he suffered last season. He's eligible to return to practice after four weeks, and he'll do exactly that, according to NFL Media's Ian Rapoport on Sunday. Bourne traveled with the team for its matchup against his former team the San Francisco 49ers, and Jerod Mayo noted this week that the wide receiver was "making progress."

The Patriots head coach Friday expressed optimism that Sione Takitaki and Marte Mapu also could return to practice, so the Patriots defense could get a boost, too. It's unknown where Cole Strange is in his recovery from a torn patellar tendon in his left knee. The Patriots had an open roster spot heading into Sunday's game against the Niners after placing Ja'Whaun Bentley on injured reserve.

Bourne was New England's top receiver since he arrived in Foxboro, Mass., in 2021. While it won't have him in Week 4, he'll be a beneficial addition to help Jacoby Brissett and perhaps Drake Maye later in the season.