January 2, 2025
New England Patriots wide receiver
Kayshon Boutte (illness) returned to practice on Thursday, but rookie wideout
Ja'Lynn Polk (shoulder) is still not on the practice field as the team continues preparing to face the division-rival Buffalo Bills in the Week 18 regular-season finale on Sunday. None of New England's receivers have been reliable fantasy contributors in one of the league's lowest-scoring offenses in 2024. The Patriots can secure the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft if they lose on Sunday, so they probably won't rush any injured skill players onto the field this weekend. In his second year in the NFL, Boutte has improved with a 36-472-2 line on 61 targets over 14 games (12 starts). Polk, meanwhile, has been much less involved as a rookie, catching 12 of 33 targets for only 87 yards and two TDs in 15 games (seven starts).
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: ESPN Boston - Mike Reiss
January 2, 2025
New England Patriots wide receivers
Kayshon Boutte (illness) and
Ja'Lynn Polk (shoulder) did not participate in practice on Wednesday. Boutte has been heavily involved lately, commanding 23 targets over his last four games. His absence from practice is concerning, but the good news is that players are typically able to recover from illnesses within a few days, so Boutte has a real chance to recover in time for Sunday's game against the Buffalo Bills. Polk's status is a little more murky after he injured his shoulder in the middle of last week's loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. The rookie has been quite underwhelming, catching just 12 passes for 87 yards and two touchdowns while struggling with drops. Fantasy managers invested in the statuses of either Boutte or Polk should check back Thursday to see if either receiver can improve to limited or full.
--Andersen Pickard - RotoBallerSource: New England Patriots
November 18, 2024
New England Patriots wide receiver
Ja'Lynn Polk saw the field on Sunday but didn't show up in the box score. During the 28-22 loss to the Los Angeles Rams, Polk saw 41% of the offensive snaps but didn't see a single target. This marks his first game with zero targets and his third with zero receptions. He came into his rookie season with some higher expectations but currently sits behind
Kendrick Bourne,
DeMario Douglas, and
Kayshon Boutte in terms of priority in the passing game. The Patriots head to Miami to take on the Dolphins in Week 12.
--Alex Fischbein - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
November 2, 2024
New England Patriots wide receiver
Ja'Lynn Polk (concussion) has been removed from the final injury report and will play against the Tennessee Titans in Week 9. The rookie returns from an absence that ultimately lasted just one game. This week, he could be catching passes from either
Drake Maye (concussion) or
Jacoby Brissett, and we likely won't get confirmation on the quarterback position until Sunday. In the meantime, fantasy managers should make sure Polk is on their bench against a Titans defense allowing the third-fewest fantasy points per game to wide receivers who play out wide.
--Andersen Pickard - RotoBallerSource: New England Patriots
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