Ja'Lynn Polk - NFL News, Rumors, & Updates

Patriots trade injured receiver Ja'Lynn Polk to the Saints

The New England Patriots have traded injured receiver Ja’Lynn Polk, a 2024 second-round draft choice, to the New Orleans Saints

SEPTEMBER 13 • Associated Press

Heads to Saints via trade The Patriots traded Polk (shoulder) and a 2028 seventh-round pick to the Saints for a 2027 sixth-round pick Saturday, Dianna Russini of The Athletic reports.

Impact Polk is on season-ending injured reserve due to a shoulder injury and won't make an appearance for the Saints until next season at the earliest. The 2024 second-round pick will get a fresh start with the Saints after struggling as a rookie with just 12 catches on 33 targets for 87 yards and two touchdowns.

SEPTEMBER 13 • ROTOWIRE

Lands on season-ending IR The Patriots placed Polk (shoulder) on injured reserve Tuesday.

Impact The 2024 second-round pick suffered a shoulder injury during the Patriots' preseason opener against Washington that required surgery, and he'll miss his entire sophomore campaign. After he posted a poor 12-87-2 line over 15 regular-season games as a rookie, Polk's future in New England appears very shaky.

AUGUST 26 • ROTOWIRE

Lands on season-ending IR The Patriots placed Polk (shoulder) on injured reserve Tuesday.

Impact Polk's placement on IR coincides with a slew of other transactions submitted by New England relating to the 53-man roster deadline. The 2024 second-round pick will miss his entire sophomore season as he works to recover from shoulder surgery undergone to address an injury suffered during the Patriots' preseason opener against Washington.

AUGUST 26 • ROTOWIRE

Reportedly set for shoulder surgery Polk plans to undergo season-ending shoulder surgery, Chad Graff of The Athletic reports.

Impact Polk underwent a shoulder procedure earlier in the offseason as well, but it's unclear if his current issue is setback-related, or a new injury. We'll await confirmation from the Patriots, but at this stage is looks like the second-year wideout is likely headed to IR. Prior to Thursday's news, Polk was in contention for a depth role in New England's crowded wideout corps.

AUGUST 21 • ROTOWIRE

Will be held out of practice Polk (arm/shoulder) will not practice in the upcoming week, Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald reports.

Impact Polk was taken to the locker room after injuring his arm/shoulder on a run play in the second quarter of the Patriots' preseason win over the Commanders. Per Mark Daniels of MassLive.com, Polk is not expected to travel with the team to Minnesota for joint practices, so he'll aim to be available for the Patriots' preseason finale against the Giants on Thursday, Aug. 21. With Polk, Stefon Diggs (knee) and Kendrick Bourne (lower leg) all working through injuries, Javon Baker and Efton Chism will have increased reps with the offense during practice and preseason games.

AUGUST 10 • ROTOWIRE

Exits game with injury Polk went to the locker room during Friday's preseason game against the Commanders after injuring his arm/shoulder, Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald reports.

Impact Polk appeared to suffer the injury on a running play late in the second quarter and was taken to the locker room after being attended to in the blue medical tent. Polk is unlikely to return ot Friday's game, and further tests will determine the severity of the injury and his ability to practice ahead of the Patriots' second preseason game against the Vikings on Saturday, Aug. 16.

AUGUST 9 • ROTOWIRE

Strong showings for Javon Baker and Ja'Lynn Polk in fight for spots, and other observations from Day 10 of Patriots camp - The Boston Globe Also, defensive coordinator Terrell Williams left practice early on a cart. According to the team, he was treated for dehydration.

AUGUST 4 • BOSTONGLOBE.COM

Back at practice Polk (undisclosed) returned to practice Monday, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.

Impact Reiss previously noted that Polk missed some practice time due to minor muscle tightness, but the wideout is back in action, which sets the stage for the 2024 second-rounder to compete for slotting in a crowded Patriots wideout corps.

JULY 28 • ROTOWIRE

Dealing with muscle tightness Polk (undisclosed) wasn't present for the start of Thursday's practice, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.

Impact The report notes that Polk -- who had previously been dealing with a shoulder issue -- passed his initial training camp physical, then subsequently had what is considered minor muscle tightness. For now, consider the wideout day-to-day, but the sooner the 2024 second-rounder can practice again, the better, as Reiss notes that Polk is facing a battle for a roster spot

JULY 24 • ROTOWIRE

Doesn't practice Wednesday Polk (shoulder) didn't participate in Wednesday's opening training camp practice, Jay Pritchard of NESN.com reports.

Impact Though Polk didn't land on either the physically unable to perform or non-football injury list, the 2024 second-rounder is bouncing back from an offseason shoulder procedure that limited him during spring workouts. Following a disappointing rookie season in which he caught just 12 passes in 15 games, the sooner Polk is able to practice, the better, given that the Washington product faces plenty of competition for slotting in a crowded WR corps.

JULY 23 • ROTOWIRE

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JULY 23 • Associated Press

Limited in OTAs Polk (shoulder) isn't participating in full team drills during the Patriots' current organized team activities, Evan Lazar of the team's official site reports.

Impact That said, Lazar notes that Polk -- who is bouncing back from an offseason shoulder procedure -- has been running routes during team periods of practice with offensive assistant Riley Larkin, adding that the 2024 second-rounder appears to be going at full speed. Once Polk is cleared to absorb contact, he'll look to secure a role in a wideout corps that still includes DeMario Douglas, Kayshon Boutte, Kendrick Bourne and Javon Baker and has added Stefon Diggs (knee) and Mack Hollins to mix, as well as rookie third-rounder Kyle Williams. However, after a disappointing rookie season in which he caught just 12 passes in 15 games, Polk has some ground to make up before he re-enters the fantasy radar in re-draft formats.

MAY 29 • ROTOWIRE

Recovering from surgery Polk is recovering from offseason shoulder surgery, ESPN's Mike Reiss reports.

Impact A second-round pick last spring, Polk got some chances in a top-three role as a rookie but caught just 12 of 33 targets (for 87 yards and two TDs) before suffering a shoulder injury Week 17. It apparently was serious enough to require surgery but shouldn't threaten his availability for Week 1 of 2025. New Patriots coach Mike Vrabel said he's excited about how Polk has approached his rehabilitation and focused on lower-body strength in the meantime. Once healthy, Polk will compete for playing time with new additions Stefon Diggs (ACL tear) and Mack Hollins, as well as 2025 holdovers DeMario Douglas, Kayshon Boutte, Kendrick Bourne and Javon Walker.

MARCH 31 • ROTOWIRE

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JANUARY 12 • FOX SPORTS

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Shifts to IR Polk (shoulder) was placed on injured reserve Saturday, Chris Mason of The Springfield Republican reports.

Impact Polk had already been ruled out Friday, so the transaction is just meant to help the team sign a player to the active roster for the final game of the season. The 2024 second-round pick was a dramatic disappointment given the wide receivers taken after the rookie as Polk finished with just 12 receptions for 87 yards and two touchdowns despite playing 15 games and 412 offensive snaps during those contests. The Patriots are expected to aggressively add to their wide receiver room, and it wouldn't be a surprise to see Polk way down the pass-catching hierarchy entering the 2025 campaign.

JANUARY 4 • ROTOWIRE

Out for Week 18 Polk (shoulder) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Bills, Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald reports.

Impact Polk was the No. 37 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft and posted a miserable rookie season, finishing the year with 12 catches for 87 yards and two touchdowns on 33 targets. After opening the season as a starter, Polk fell behind Kayshon Boutte, DeMario Douglas and Kendrick Bourne on the depth chart. At 0.35 yards per route run as a rookie, Polk was dead last among 111 qualifying wide receivers.

JANUARY 3 • ROTOWIRE

Still not practicing Thursday Polk (shoulder) did not participate at practice Thursday, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.

Impact For the second straight day, Polk was unable to practice due to a shoulder issue he presumably picked up in Week 17 versus the Chargers. He'll probably have to practice Friday to have any chance to play in Week 18 versus the Bills.

JANUARY 2 • ROTOWIRE

Dealing with shoulder issue Polk (shoulder) didn't practice Wednesday.

Impact Polk appears to have picked up a shoulder injury in the Patriots' Week 17 loss to the Chargers, despite logging 20 offensive snaps and failing to catch his only target. The 2024 second-round pick from Washington has seen his production drop significantly since Week 7, recording just two catches for nine yards and one touchdown over his last nine games. Regardless, Polk likely needs to upgrade to at least limited participation Thursday or Friday in order to play in the Week 18 matchup against the Bills.

JANUARY 1 • ROTOWIRE

Logs 20 snaps on offense Sunday Polk was on the field for 20 of a possible 51 snaps on offense in Sunday's 30-17 loss to the Cardinals, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.

Impact The 2024 second-rounder, who was out-snapped Sunday by fellow WRs Kayshon Boutte (45) DeMario Douglas (31) and Kendrick Bourne (27), didn't catch his only target in Week 15. With just 12 catches (on 32 targets) for 87 yards and two TDs in 13 games thus far, Polk remains off the fantasy re-draft radar as the Patriots' stretch run approaches.

DECEMBER 16, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

No catches Sunday Polk logged 20 of a possible 72 snaps on offense in Sunday's 25-24 loss to the Colts, per Mike Reiss of ESPN.com.

Impact Polk -- who didn't haul in his only target Sunday -- continues to work behind Kayshon Boutte, DeMario Douglas and Kendrick Bourne, a context that has limited the rookie's fantasy upside of late. While it's possible that the team looks to get Polk more involved down the stretch following a Week 14 bye, for now he's off the lineup radar.

DECEMBER 2, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

One catch Sunday Polk was on the field for 23 of a possible 69 snaps on offense in Sunday's 34-15 loss to the Dolphins, per Mike Reiss of ESPN.com.

Impact Once again, Polk was out-snapped by Kayshon Boutte (60), DeMario Douglas (47) and Kendrick Bourne (41). In the process, the 2024 second-rounder caught one of his two targets for seven yards. With that in mind, Polk is off the fantasy radar in re-draft formats until or unless he's able to reclaim a steady role in New England's offense.

NOVEMBER 25, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

No catches Sunday Polk logged 31 of a possible 76 snaps on offense in Sunday's 28-22 loss to the Rams, per Mike Reiss of ESPN.com.

Impact Polk -- who was out-snapped by Kayshon Boutte (73), DeMario Douglas (43) and Kendrick Bourne (36) -- wasn't targeted in the contest. With just 11 catches for 80 yards and two TDs on 28 targets through 10 games to date, Polk is off the fantasy radar for now, though as the season continues to progress, the 2024 second-rounder could become more involved in the Patriots offense.

NOVEMBER 18, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Catches TD in Week 10 Polk, who was on the field for 26 of a possible 64 snaps on offense in Sunday's 19-3 win over the Bears, per Mike Reiss of ESPN.com, caught his only target in the contest for a two...

Impact Polk, who was in the Patriots' starting alignment along with fellow wideout Kayshon Boutte, continues to see limited volume in New England's offense, which limits his current fantasy lineup utility. That said, his usage going forward is worth monitoring, as it's plausible that the 2024 second-rounder could pick up the pace in terms of his production as the season rolls along.

NOVEMBER 11, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Limited snaps in return Polk logged nine of a possible 69 snaps on offense in Sunday's 20-17 overtime loss to the Titans, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.

Impact Polk, who was inactive Week 8 due to a concussion, returned to the mix Sunday, but saw limited playing time and didn't catch his only target in the contest. For now, he's behind DeMario Douglas, Kayshon Boutte and Kendrick Bourne in the Patriots' wideout pecking order, and until that changes Polk won't be a reliable fantasy lineup option.

NOVEMBER 4, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

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