Why is Kendrick Bourne not playing today? Patriots WR's absence for Week 3 TNF game explained

The New England Patriots will be playing on the road against the New York Jets to start Week 3 regular season action. However, the Pats won't be able to call on Kendrick Bourne to help them during the Thursday Night Football game as the wideout remains on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list.

The Patriots' decision to place Bourne on the PUP list to begin the 2024 season was expected since the receiver has not yet resumed full participation in practice while recovering from a torn ACL injury sustained during the 2023 season.

Bourne can't play for the Patriots in the team's first four games of the regular season since he is on the PUP list. The earliest the eighth-year receiver can play this season is on October 6 against the Miami Dolphins, as he will also miss the Week 4 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers.

The Patriots signed Bourne to a three-year extension worth $33 million in March, indicating that they value him and expect him to be ready to play when the time is right.

When Kendrick Bourne is in the lineup, the Patriots' offense is stronger. The team's passing attack this season will benefit greatly from his eventual return to the field.

What happened to Kendrick Bourne?

Kendrick Bourne is currently in his fourth season with the New England Patriots, recovering from an ACL tear suffered in Week 8 of the 2023 NFL season. The injury will keep him out of the first four games of 2024. An ACL damage can take nearly a year to repair.

Bourne has amassed 127 catches, over 1,600 receiving yards, and 10 touchdowns in his career with the Patriots, despite missing games due to injury. He had recorded 37 catches for 406 yards and four touchdowns in eight games before his injury last season.

The Patriots will still play at least two more games with their wide receiver depth chart consisting of K.J. Osborn, Kayshon Boutte, Tyquan Thornton, DeMario Douglas, and youngsters Ja'Lynn Polk and Javon Baker.