The Patriots should be getting a boost to their wide receiver room soon.
The plan is for Patriots wide receiver Kendrick Bourne (knee) to return practicing next week. That would start his timeline to come off of the PUP list.
Bourne tore his ACL in late October last year. He spent all summer on the PUP list but has been spotted doing conditioning work.
The 29-year-old made the trip with the Patriots to San Francisco against his former team, the 49ers.
Bourne was the Patriots’ top wide receiver when he went on injured reserve last season with 37 catches for 406 yards with four touchdowns in eight games.
The Patriots play the Dolphins in Week 4. Linebacker Sione Takitaki, guard Cole Strange and safety Marte Mapu are also eligible to return off of reserve lists starting Week 5. Strange is expected to remain out until at least midseason.