THE Patriots elected for Kendrick Bourne bench in a surprise move to give young players like Ja’Lynn Polk, Kayshon Boutte and DeMario Douglas more playing time against during their final defeat the Chicago Bears. But that had everything to do with the priority given to youth and nothing to do with Drake Maye wanting certain players on the field.

“As a rookie, I don’t really control who’s out there” the quarterback said Monday during his weekly appearance on the show “Afternoon show.” “I’m more worried about doing my job.”

Maye was confident Bourne would be back on the field soon enough.

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“I think KB, first of all, he’s a great teammate and a great leader on this team. You’re going to see KB more. You will definitely see him again during the rest of the season. Maye said. “So I’m excited to have him there. I think he made some great catches against Tennessee and the Titans.

Bourne caught four passes for 41 yards in the 20-17 loss to the Titans. He just came out of a ACL tear that ended his 2023 season prematurely.

It was an interesting move considering Bourne played 78% of New England’s offensive snaps in its two games leading into Week 10. But the wide receiver provided support on the sideline in the Patriots’ victory against the Bears, and was all smiles when coach Jerod Mayo entered. the locker room.

It’s unclear how Bourne will be used when the Patriots play a second straight Sunday when they host the Los Angeles Rams.