Kendrick Bourne doesn’t have good memories from the last time the Patriots played the Miami Dolphins.
It was Week 8 last season when New England was trailing. Bourne caught a short pass from quarterback Mac Jones on the first play of the fourth quarter and was tackled by Eli Apple near the sideline. His knee buckled during the play, and he stayed on the ground.
Later, an MRI showed that he had torn a ligament, ending his season. It was a tough blow for Bourne, who had been leading the team in catches (37), yards (406), and touchdowns (four) during the final year of his contract.
As New England (3-8) gets ready to face Miami again on Sunday, Bourne is thinking about that moment.
“I got hurt last year, man, so I’m going to the spot I was at and kind of just talk to it. Like, ‘Leave me alone,’” Bourne said.
That attitude reflects how Bourne, a 29-year-old veteran in his eighth season, has handled the challenges he faced last year.
After his knee surgery in November, Bourne became a free agent. But the Patriots brought him back on a new three-year, $19.5 million deal.
Bourne missed all of training camp and didn’t play until Week 5 in a 15-10 home loss to the Dolphins.
In the first five games of the 2024 season, Bourne struggled to make a significant impact and didn’t score any touchdowns. He didn’t play in the Patriots’ Week 10 win at Chicago but stayed engaged on the sideline, celebrating rookie Ja’Lynn Polk’s game-winning touchdown.
The next week, Bourne returned to the field and had his best game of the season so far, finishing with five catches for 70 yards and his first touchdown of the year, though the Patriots lost 28-22 to the Los Angeles Rams.
“We know what I went through. I got benched,” Bourne said. “I just came back to work with a good week. And it was good. It feels great. But … at the end of the day, I want to win.
So I got benched and we won. So, it’s like. oh, how do I feel? And I’m happy. I’m really genuinely happy. And I play good, we lose. I’m happy, but it’s like it’s not how I felt last week.”
Bourne’s mindset shows his maturity, but it’s also because of his love for the Patriots, a team he’s been with for the past four years.
“I love this place. I have a real soft spot for New England,” Bourne said. “There’s a lot of nonsense going on right now. … But the potential is there. I think we’re better than where we were at the beginning of the year.
And the record doesn’t show it, but I see the potential. So just trying to put my best foot forward, help build and be a part of it when it gets to that point.”
A picture Bourne’s mom sent him recently reminded him of how much progress he’s made since last year. In the photo, he’s still wearing his knee brace after surgery.
“I’m just very thankful,” Bourne said. “It was a journey. And when I think about it, it’s just heartwarming to be back. … It’s definitely awesome to just be healthy. Every time I leave the field now it feels different. It’s a blessing to make it off every time. Practice and game. Every time it’s a different story.”
