The resurgent New England Patriots stand one win short of doubling their victory total from last season â and equalling their combined wins from 2023 and 2024 â after hanging on to defeat the Atlanta Falcons by a single point Sunday in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
The Patriots raised their record to 7-2, capturing their sixth consecutive win, and now hold the No. 2 seed in the AFC, falling short of the top-seeded Indianapolis Colts only on the win-percentage-in-conference-games tiebreaker. The Colts are 6-1 against AFC opponents, the Patriots 4-2.
Nonetheless, the win may have been a costly one for the Patriots. In the second quarter of Sunday’s game, 23-year-old Kayshon Boutte who has emerged this year as New England’s top deep threat receiver, was forced to bow out of the game with what was characterized at the time as a hamstring issue.
LSU Star Rising up Ranks in NFL
Boutte has caught 23 of the 31 passes targeted for him by Patriots sophomore quarterback Drake Maye this season and with 431 yards is already on track for a new career high â provided that his hamstring problem does not cause him to miss any significant amount of time.
The 23-year-old former LSU standout ranks 36th among NFL wide receivers in total receiving yards â but in average yards per reception, the 2023 sixth-round draft pick ranks second. His average of 18.7 yards places Boutte behind only the Colts’ Alec Pierce at 20.9.
But Boutte had not registered a catch and had been targeted by Maye only once before the hamstring issue caused his day to end early on Sunday. In the third quarter, the Patriots announced that the receiver had been ruled out for the remainder of the game.
On Monday, Boutte underwent an MRI exam to determine the severity of his hamstring injury.
On Sunday, the Patriots face one of their toughest tests of the season when they travel to Tampa Bay to take on the 6-2 Buccaneers who lead the NFC South at 6-2. Will Boutte be recovered in time to participate in that crucial game?
Boutte Posts Own Injury Update
On Monday, head coach Mike Vrabel said that Boutte would be considered “day to day,” but was unlikely to practice with the team, at least early in the week, as reported by Jordy McElroy of Patriots Wire.
But Boutte himself provided a somewhat more optimistic and detailed update, posting on social media early Monday afternoon.
“Just got the MRI results back,” Boutte wrote. “It’s only a Grade 1 sprain so that’s a good thing. Shouldn’t be down too long but we working to get back.”
Could be Ready Within a Week
As for whether he would be ready for the game against Tampa Bay, Boutte appeared hopeful but not certain.
“It’s a possibility I play Sunday in Tampa depending on how I’m feeling,” he continued. “But if not then hopefully I’m good for the Jets on (Thursday Night Football). I’ll keep y’all updated. Just know I’m working to get it stronger and come back better.”
A Grade 1 hamstring strain is the least serious level of hamstring injury, “a mild strain with very little torn muscle,” according to information posted by the Cleveland Clinic.
The Clinic also mentioned information that should be encouraging to Boutte. “If you have a grade 1 injury, you might need less than a week to feel better,” according to the medical facility.
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