New England Patriots training camp is a time of year that’s intriguing to the most casual fan. The television series Hard Knocks was forged on the attempt of players on the bubble to make their way onto the roster and veterans looking to hold off younger players to make sure they stay with their current team.
While the Patriots aren’t featured on this year’s version, the intrigue remains. A 48-18 win over the Washington Commanders on Friday night was enough to make New Englanders feel good about the team’s direction but it also may have made some players uneasy after a rough performance.
That’s the case for one veteran who is looking to impress Mike Vrabel and his staff but may have signed his own release papers after a lackluster start to the preseason.
Ja’Lynn Polk Gets Injured During Preseason Opener vs. Commanders
The Patriots haven’t had a 1,000-yard receiver since Julian Edelman (1,117) did it in 2019. But while you could point to Tom Brady’s departure as the reason for the drought, you can also credit the Patriots for trying to address it.
One of the additions was wide receiver Ja’Lynn Polk, who was taken in the second round of the 2024 draft. The Washington product solidified his draft status by catching 69 passes for 1,159 yards and nine touchdowns from Michael Penix in his final year in college, but he hasn’t been able to show that playmaking ability since arriving in the NFL.
Polk had just 12 catches for 87 yards and two touchdowns in his rookie season and underwent offseason surgery on his shoulder. The change from Jerod Mayo to Mike Vrabel at head coach didn’t do him any favors, but so did a slow start to camp and a disastrous preseason performance where he caught a swing pass for one yard and left the game with a shoulder or arm injury.
In the end, Polk’s time in New England may be determined by how long he stays on the sidelines. The Patriots were aggressive, adding talent at receiver, signing Stefon Diggs and Mack Hollins in free agency, and adding Washington State standout Kyle Williams in the third round of April’s draft. With fellow bubble candidate Javon Baker turning to special teams, Polk could make this an easy decision for Vrabel and his staff, leaving him in search of a new team by the end of the month.