FANTASY FOOTBALL NEWS

Kendrick Bourne to Start Season on PUP

By Matt Schauf | Updated on Tue, Aug 27 2024 3:08 PM UTC

Patriots WR Kendrick Bourne will open the regular season on the physically unable to perform list, according to multiple reports. That means Bourne will miss at least the first four games while continuing to work back from last October's ACL tear.

What They're Saying

NESN's Sean T. McGuire on roster implications: "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."

2024 Fantasy Football Impact

Bourne's contract ($6.5 million a year through 2026, signed this March) and the way new HC Jerod Mayo has referred to him almost certainly locks Bourne into a top-3 WR role once he returns to the field.

We'll see how soon that happens.

In the meantime, New England's top 3 have most recently looked like Polk, Thornton, and Douglas. Osborn has also seen starter time this summer but looks more likely to open at No. 4.

Polk carries the most fantasy intrigue after a buzzy summer, with Douglas carrying some promise as well. Thornton has more to prove after a disappointing second season.

Expect Bourne to push Thornton or Polk out of the lineup shortly after he returns. (I'd bet Thornton.)

Matt Schauf, Editor

Matt has earned two Fantasy Pros accuracy awards for IDP rankings and won thousands of dollars as a player across best ball, dynasty, and high-stakes fantasy formats. He has been creating fantasy football content for more than 20 years, with work featured by Sporting News, Rotoworld, Athlon, Sirius XM, and others. He's been with Draft Sharks since 2011.