The New England Patriots will be without two of their most important offensive players for the first four games of the 2022 season. The Patriots don’t have to announce their 53-man roster until after Tuesday’s 4 p.m. ET deadline, but we already have multiple reports indicating two players will begin the season on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list.
Patriots Kendrick Bourne and Cole Strange on PUP To Start Season
Receiver Kendrick Bourne and offensive lineman Cole Strange will both stay on PUP to start the season. MassLive’s Mark Daniels reported the news on Strange, while ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported the news on Bourne.
Strange is recovering from a torn patellar tendon suffered late last season, whereas Bourne is rehabbing a torn ACL suffered last October. Both players began training camp on PUP and are expected to return sometime in 2024.
Linebacker Sione Takitaki is also a candidate to begin the season on PUP after missing all of training camp due to a minor knee procedure.
PFN Analysis: Neither Move Is Surprising
Neither Bourne nor Strange has practiced this offseason, so both were expected to start the season on PUP. Any other outcome would’ve been a surprise.
With Bourne no longer occupying a spot on the 53-man roster, the Patriots have at least one open spot for a receiver — if not more.
DeMario Douglas, Ja’Lynn Polk, Javon Baker, and K.J. Osborn are locks for the first four spots. Tyquan Thornton, Jalen Reagor, and Kayshon Boutte are vying for Bourne’s spot, with Thornton a potential lock after earning reps with the starters for most of training camp.
The Patriots typically carry just five receivers on their initial 53-man roster, but they could go with seven this year while keeping Thornton, Reagor, and Boutte.
As for Strange, he likely will remain sidelined longer than Bourne but is expected to play this season. Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo recently said Strange could be moved to center after spending the last two seasons at left guard.