Having already lost DeVante Parker to a head injury, the New England Patriots couldn’t afford to suffer any more wide receiver injuries. But Kendrick Bourne went down in the fourth quarter of the Pats’ game against the Miami Dolphins. What happened to Bourne on Sunday, and what’s his current injury status?
Kendrick Bourne Injury Update
Bourne stayed down on the field after an awkward tackle near the sideline. He immediately grabbed at his right leg after going down.
#Patriots WR Kendrick Bourne down on this play and holding his knee.pic.twitter.com/Wpw0G26Rsj
— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) October 29, 2023
Bourne initially visited the blue medical tent on the Patriots’ sideline but then headed for the locker room.
New England ruled Bourne out just minutes after he reached the locker room, an ominous sign for his near-term availability.
On Monday, an MRI confirmed that Bourne tore his ACL, according to NFL Network. Unfortunately, he will miss the rest of the season, depriving the Pats of one of their few reliable offensive weapons.
MORE: New England Patriots Depth Chart
Parker suffered a concussion earlier in Sunday’s game. With Bourne and Parker sidelined, the Patriots are down to JuJu Smith-Schuster, Demario Douglas, Jalen Reagor, Ty Montgomery, and special teamer Matthew Slater at wide receiver.
Bourne, 28, leads New England in targets (51), receptions (34), receiving yards (370), and touchdowns (three). He’s been a prominent trade candidate ahead of the NFL‘s Oct. 31 deadline.
Fantasy Fallout From Bourne’s Injury
Douglas is the beneficiary in New England, and he deserves to be rostered if for no other reason than he plays each of the next two weeks (eight teams go on a bye over that stretch).
Calling any Patriot pass catcher “safe” isn’t wise, but we’ve seen Hunter Henry and Bourne put up fantasy numbers at points over the first two months of this season.
Douglas has some big-play potential. But at 5’8″, his path to fantasy relevance is low-aDOT throws in the hope of volume. He’s a viable stash but far from a reliable fantasy option.
— PFN Fantasy Analyst Kyle Soppe