Kendrick Bourne expected to practice this week, Jerod Mayo says

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Patriots

The Patriots received a positive injury update on Kendrick Bourne, who has been out for nearly a year with a torn ACL.

New England Patriots wide receiver Kendrick Bourne (84) after a first down during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Foxborough, Mass.

Kendrick Bourne found himself in Matt Patricia’s dog house during the 2022 season. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)

After being out for nearly a year with a torn ACL, the Patriots wide receiver Kendrick Bourne is expected to return to practice this week, coach Jerod Mayo said.

“That’s the plan,” Mayo said, when asked if Bourne will suit up when New England returns to practice on Wednesday.

The Patriots have a scheduled day off Tuesday following their 30-13 loss at San Francisco. Bourne, a former 49ers, made the trip to see the Patriots take on his former team.

Bourne has not played a game since October 29 last season when he hurt my knee in the fourth quarter of a loss to the Dolphins. Bourne led the team in catches, yards and touchdowns at the time of his injury.

Bourne, who hauled in 55 catches for 800 yards in 2021, could bolster a struggling Patriots offense that is averaging 13 points per game, good for second to last in the NFL.

New England’s receiving core has been particularly unproductive. Rookie Ja’Lynn Polk is the only Patriots wideout to catch a touchdown this season. No Patriots wide receiver has topped 100 yards so far this season.

Tight end Hunter Henry is the team’s leading receiver with 14 catches for 148 yards. Tight end Austin Hooper has one of the team’s two touchdown receptions.

After Bourne’s first practice, the Patriots have 21 days to activate him. If he is not activated within those 21 days, he will be placed on season-ending injured reserve.