FOXBOROUGH - On Sunday, Kendrick Bourne will return to the scene of the crime.
It was a year ago last month that Bourne suffered a torn ACL and was lost for the season after getting hurt against the Miami Dolphins in a game played at Hard Rock Stadium.
It’s only now that the Patriots veteran receiver is starting to feel like himself again on the football field.
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Speaking with reporters Wednesday, Bourne said he planned to exorcise a few ghosts on his first trip back with the Patriots facing Tua Tagovailoa and the Dolphins in their Week 12 matchup.
“I got hurt last year, so I’m going to go to the spot I was at, and kind of talk to (the field), you know, ‘Leave me alone,’'’ Bourne said with a smile. “Just embrace the environment. It’s going to be loud, it’s going to be different.”
After being benched against the Chicago Bears, Bourne responded last week, catching five passes for 70 yards and a touchdown in the 28-22 loss to the LA Rams. Now that he’s feeling more like himself, he’s hoping that trend continues against the Dolphins.
Bourne said it was almost impossible not to stop and think about how far he’s come since tearing the ACL a year ago.
“My mom sent me a picture the other day where I had a brace on my knee and stuff, like from a year ago. I’m just very thankful,” Bourne said. “It was a journey, and when I think about it, it’s heartwarming to be back. I feel like I’m back to where I was, and doing exercises, doing body compositions, seeing where my body was, I’ve made it to a good point. Just got to keep stacking it up. So every time I leave the field now, it feels different. It’s a blessing to make it off every time.”
Bourne was reminded that former Celtic Kyrie Irving burned incense around the court on his first trip back to Boston.
Might he do something like that in Miami?
“Nah, nah, nah,” Bourne said with a laugh. “No sage.”
