FOXBORO — Ja’Lynn Polk’s bid for a Patriots roster spot took one other hit Friday evening.
The second-year extensive receiver suffered an damage on his first contact in New England’s preseason opener towards the Washington Commanders.
After taking an end-around handoff from backup quarterback Joshua Dobbs halfway via the second quarter, Polk landed awkwardly on his left arm/shoulder. He was evaluated within the sideline medical tent, then taken again towards the locker room.
Polk didn’t return to the sideline after halftime. Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel stated postgame that he had “no replace proper now” on the wideout’s standing.
“He’ll get extra testing and see our docs,” Vrabel stated. “(He) wasn’t capable of end the sport.”
The early exit was the newest in a protracted line of setbacks Polk has endured for the reason that Patriots chosen him within the second spherical of the 2025 NFL Draft. He caught simply 12 passes on 33 targets for 87 yards and two touchdowns as a rookie, then underwent shoulder surgical procedure this offseason, which restricted his participation in spring apply. Polk then missed the beginning of coaching camp with a mushy tissue damage, a supply advised the Herald’s Doug Kyed, and has not flashed constantly since returning to the sphere.
With Stefon Diggs, DeMario Douglas, Mack Hollins, Kayshon Boutte and third-round rookie Kyle Williams probably locks to make the crew if wholesome, Polk is one in every of a number of Patriots receivers vying for the ultimate one or two 53-man roster spots. That group of bubble gamers additionally consists of veteran Kendrick Bourne, 2024 fourth-rounder Javon Baker and undrafted rookie Efton Chism III, who impressed within the second half of Friday’s 48-18 victory at Gillette Stadium (eight targets, six catches, 50 yards, one landing).
Bourne missed the exhibition sport with an damage, and Baker completed and not using a catch on two targets, although Vrabel did respect his contributions within the kicking sport.
Baker, who performed simply 28 particular groups throughout a equally disappointing rookie season, changed injured cornerback Marcellas Dial as one in every of New England’s high punt gunners reverse Brenden Schooler and registered two particular groups tackles.
“I believe that that’s unbelievable when you might have gamers, particularly receivers, that may create a job and that may provide help to and that may be huge and bodily and every little thing we see out of Javon as a receiver,” Vrabel stated. “After they can embrace that as particular groups gamers, guys who’re huge and bodily and quick and keen, that interprets to particular groups. So, I’m excited and simply blissful for Javon, with the ability to go on the market and contribute. And if you do these issues, your teammates get excited, and hopefully his confidence continues to develop.”
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