Embattled Patriots WR Logs TD In Training Camp Practice Return

Ja’Lynn Polk is under more pressure this summer than perhaps anyone on the New England Patriots roster. But the embattled second-year receiver apparently got off to a strong start in training camp, albeit a delayed one.

Polk, terrible as a rookie after being drafted as a second-round pick, missed the first three practices of camp due to a reported soft-tissue injury. It was bad news for a player who underwent shoulder surgery during the offseason and entered camp on the Patriots’ roster bubble.

However, Polk returned for Monday’s practice, which marked the first time the Patriots wore full pads. And the Washington product delivered a solid performance that included a touchdown in 11-on-11 drills, according to reporters who attended practice.

“The Patriots did have a nifty play-action touchdown from (Drake) Maye to Ja’Lynn Polk,” Boston Sports Journal’s Greg Bedard wrote in the “top play” section of his practice breakdown.

“Polk broke running right to left through the end zone, and Maye spotted him after executing a play-action fake,” Andrew Callahan of the Boston Herald added. “The second-year wideout missed the team’s first four practices due to a soft-tissue injury and bombed as a rookie. Re-entered into a packed receiver competition Monday, Polk did well with his touchdown and smattering of first-team snaps.”

Polk appears to face long odds in earning a roster spot.

If the Patriots break camp with five receivers, those spots could go to DeMario Douglas, Stefon Diggs, Kyle Williams, Mack Hollins and Kendrick Bourne — assuming good health. Should New England stretch to six wideouts on the depth chart, Polk would be battling with Kayshon Boutte, Javon Baker and undrafted rookie Efton Chism III.

Boutte and Chism both might be ahead of Polk, who still could win a tiebreaker due to his status as a second-round pick. But head coach Mike Vrabel doesn’t seem like someone willing to give roster spots to unproven, underperforming players simply because of when they were drafted.

With all that said, Polk was excellent last summer in his first training camp and has enough talent to flip the script. Let’s see what he does over the next few weeks.