The Patriots are adding a potentially key piece for their Week 4 game against the Miami Dolphins.
According to numerous reports, wide receiver Kendrick Bourne will be activated from the physically unable to perform (PUP) list before Sunday’s 1 p.m. game at Gillette Stadium.
Bourne was amid a career year in 2023 when he suffered a season-ending knee injury in Week 8. Before that he was leading the Patriots with 37 receptions, 406 yards, and four touchdowns in eight games. His 50.8 receiving yards per game marked a career high.
After he underwent surgery, Bourne was diligent in his rehabilitation and had a physical therapist live at his house. He originally had hoped to be ready for Week 1, but he and the team decided he wasn’t ready.
Patriots Coach Jerod Mayo was hopeful earlier this week.
“I wouldn’t say it’s unrealistic. I think we have to sit here and see how the next couple of days go,” Mayo said. “Those guys are at different points and they’ll practice depending on how their body feels.”
n The Patriots downgraded safety Jabrill Peppers to out for Sunday’s game against Miami. Peppers, who was limited in practice all week with a shoulder injury, has been battling a myriad of injuries the past few weeks.
Fellow safety Kyle Dugger, who didn’t participate at all in practice during the week due to an ankle injury, was listed as “questionable.”

DOLPHINS: Receiver Odell Beckham Jr., the Dolphins’ most famous offseason acquisition, is set to make his Miami debut on Sunday in New England.
The Dolphins on Saturday moved Beckham from the physically unable to perform list to the 53-man roster, filling an open spot vacated by Friday’s release of quarterback Tim Boyle. The Dolphins removed the ‘questionable’ designation from Beckham; he’s good to go for Sunday.
Beckham, who signed with Miami in May and has dealt with several significant injuries in recent years, has 566 career receptions for 7,932 yards and 59 touchdowns.
He was the NFL’s Offensive Rookie of the Year with the Giants, a second-team All-Pro in 2015 and 2016, and a three-time Pro Bowler (2014-16).

PACKERS: Green Bay suspended wide receiver Romeo Doubs for Sunday’s game with the Los Angeles Rams for what it described as conduct detrimental to the team.
Doubs hadn’t practiced Thursday or Friday. The Packers (2-2) said at the time he was dealing with a personal matter.
“His decisions and actions during the week negatively impacted the team and required us to take this action,” General Manager Brian Gutekunst said Saturday in a statement.

COWBOYS: Dallas placed Brandin Cooks on injured reserve with a knee issue, sidelining their No. 2 receiver behind All-Pro CeeDee Lamb for at least four games.