Patriots

Jerod Mayo offers injury updates on Kendrick Bourne, Cole Strange

'We hope to get him out here, but he won’t be out here during the spring," Mayo said of Bourne.

By Conor Ryan

May 20, 2024

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The Patriots had a nearly full roster on hand for the the first day of OTAs at Gillette Stadium, with Matthew Judon, Anfernee Jennings, Davon Godchaux, Joshua Uche, and Zuri Henry standing as the only five missing players for New England’s first full-squad workout in Foxborough.

Two important cogs for New England’s offense in wide receiver Kendrick Bourne and offensive guard Cole Strange were on hand for Monday’s practice — but did not take part in any actual drills due to lingering injuries. 

Speaking ahead of Monday’s session, Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo provided updates on both Bourne and Strange, noting that both players likely won’t touch the field for OTAs or next month’s mandatory minicamp while on the road to recovery. 

“It’s a week-by-week type of thing. We hope to get him out here, but he won’t be out here during the spring, I can tell you that,” Mayo said of Bourne’s availability. “So, we’ll see going forward. That’s more information than (the media) normally would get, right?”

Bourne, who re-signed with New England on a three-year contract worth up to $33 million in March, is still working his way back after suffering a torn ACL during a Week 8 road loss last season.

Speaking with Boston.com last month, Bourne offered an update on his recovery. 

“It’s just been a journey, man. I had never been hurt before so just grinding every day, taking it day by day,” he said. “My goal is to be out there as soon as I can, but just see where I’m at when it gets closer to game one or camp. Just trying to feel out how I feel every day if I’m swelling up or if I’m not or if I feel any type of way in my knee.

“Just learning it as I go, but it’s been really good. It’s been a different challenge for me, a different mental challenge. It helps me grow mentally and be patient with how the body works.”

Bourne’s recovery timeline could have him in line for a fresh start once training camp officially opens in late July. But Strange’s status is a bit more up in the air, especially after the 2022 first-round pick was carted off the field with a knee injury in December. 

“That is an interesting one,” Mayo said of Strange. “He’s more of a, let’s say, week-by-week or you can go month-by-month if you want to. But he is working hard, you know, he is doing his rehab. He is here every day. He is in the meeting room, so I am happy where he is.”

With Strange unavailable on Monday, Sidy Sow logged most of the first-team reps at left guard, with Nick Leverett slotted over at right guard.