The New England Patriots will begin the 2024 NFL season with a handful of key players on reserve lists.
Along with announcing their initial 53-man roster, the Patriots revealed which players will begin the campaign on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list or short-term injured reserve/non-football injury (NFI).
Reminder: A new NFL rule allows teams on cutdown day to designate as many as two players to return from injured reserve/NFI. Previously, any player placed on IR before the cutdown deadline was forced to miss the entire season. The Patriots used both slots.
3 Patriots Land on the PUP List
Note: All three players must sit out at least the season’s first four games.
WR Kendrick Bourne
Kendrick Bourne is still recovering from a torn ACL suffered last October and didn’t practice all offseason. In the spring, Bourne and Jerod Mayo both said the veteran receiver would participate in training camp, so it’s fair to wonder whether he suffered a setback.
Nevertheless, Bourne worked out on the lower rehab field during multiple training camp practices, indicating he was making significant progress. There seemingly is a good chance of Bourne returning after Week 4.
G Cole Strange
Cole Strange, who suffered a torn patellar tendon late last season, didn’t practice all summer and still faces a long recovery. However, there’s optimism that Strange will play at some point this season, although it would be a surprise if he’s ready for Week 5.
On Monday, Mayo said Strange could move to center when he returns. The 2022 first-round pick played left guard his first two seasons.
LB Sione Takitaki
Sione Takitaki didn’t practice all summer while recovering from a minor offseason knee procedure. He, too, expected to be ready for training camp, so it’s fair to wonder whether there was a setback.
Takitaki also worked on the rehab field late in training camp, potentially indicating a return for Week 5 is possible. The underrated veteran would be a welcome addition to New England’s linebacking corps.
2 Patriots Land on Injured Reserve/NFI (Designated To Return)
Note: Both players must sit out at least the season’s first four games.
DL Christian Barmore (NFI)
Christian Barmore was diagnosed with blood clots early in training camp. Although he technically could return this season, Barmore is a candidate to miss the entire campaign as he and the Patriots tread carefully with a serious medical condition.
Barmore is New England’s best defensive player and signed a four-year, $84 million contract extension during the offseason.
S/LB Marte Mapu (IR)
Marte Mapu’s situation remains a total mystery. The 2023 third-round pick is a wildly talented and versatile player but made little impact as a rookie and missed all but one training camp practice this summer. He was on the field nearly every day, however, spending his time either watching practice or communicating play calls.
The details of Mapu’s injury remain unknown, but Mayo recently said the hybrid defender is “week-to-week.” Whether he’ll be ready to return for Week 5 remains to be seen.
1 Player Released With Injury Designation
OT Calvin Anderson
Calvin Anderson fought for a swing tackle spot during the summer but suffered an undisclosed injury later in camp.
Because he was released with an injury settlement, Anderson won’t be placed on season-ending IR and is free to sign with another team. He also could return to the Patriots.
In the meantime, Anderson will be paid compensation outlined in the settlement, the details of which weren’t known at the time of this writing.
1 Player Placed on Season-Ending IR With Uncertain Future
DT Armon Watts
Multiple reports on Tuesday indicated Armon Watts was outright released. He officially was placed on injured reserve, but we may eventually learn he was released with an injury settlement, like Anderson.
Regardless, Watts, who was signed during the offseason, had a disappointing summer and failed to capitalize on an opportunity to be Barmore’s top replacement.
2 Patriots Players Already on Season-Ending Injured Reserve
Note: Both players are ineligible to return anytime this season.
OL Jake Andrews
Jake Andrews was placed on season-ending IR in early August due to a still-undisclosed injury. The 2023 fourth-round pick appeared in just one game as a rookie, and his future in New England is in doubt. He’ll need to fight for a roster spot next summer.
WR JaQuae Jackson
JaQuae Jackson, an undrafted rookie, suffered a season-ending knee injury during the Patriots’ preseason loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. The details of the injury remain unclear, but it was bad enough to sideline Jackson for his entire rookie campaign.
He showed promise during training camp and will be an intriguing player to monitor next summer.
