Latest news with #Ja'LynnPolk
Yahoo
24-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Latest update on unexpected absence of Patriots struggling WR
New England Patriots second-year wide receiver Ja'Lynn Polk was not spotted for a second straight day of training camp practice on Thursday. The 2024 second-round draft pick was recovering from a shoulder injury that limited his workload throughout the spring practices. According to ESPN's Mike Reiss, Polk passed his initial physical with the team, but he later experienced some "minor muscle tightness." Advertisement That has reportedly led to the team taking a cautious approach with him early in training camp. "I'm told Polk passed his initial physical, then later had what is considered minor muscle tightness, so playing it cautious early," Reiss posted on X. Polk could be on the roster bubble for a Patriots team that has a total of 12 receivers currently on the roster. He is facing an uphill battle to erase the disappointing rookie showing he had last season with 12 receptions for 87 yards and two touchdowns. The Patriots will likely only carry six or seven receivers on their final roster. An injury of any kind at this point would be a tough break for Polk. Advertisement Follow Patriots Wire on Twitter and Facebook. This article originally appeared on Patriots Wire: Latest update on unexpected absence of Patriots struggling WR
USA Today
11-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Struggling Patriots WR puts doubters on notice with six-word message
A post shared by Ja'Lynn Polk (@jpolk_22) New England Patriots wide receiver Ja'Lynn Polk is putting the doubters on notice ahead of training camp. The 2024 second-round draft pick struggled in his rookie year with the Patriots, hauling in only 12 catches for 87 yards and two touchdowns. Things looked promising in last year's training camp, and he even caught a touchdown in the season-opening game against the Cincinnati Bengals. However, that production quickly fell off a cliff for Polk, who struggled to perform in a Patriots offense that had issues throughout the season. There's hope that his second year will be different with more experience, renewed confidence and Josh McDaniels taking over as the new offensive coordinator. "Gone respect it sooner or later," Polk posted on Instagram. Polk will be looking to make an impact in a revamped wide receivers room. The Patriots signed Stefon Diggs and Mack Hollins in free agency, and they used a third-round pick to draft rookie Kyle Williams. How Polk factors into the offense will be something to watch. With 12 receivers currently on the team, he'll fight just to make the final 53-man roster. Regardless of what happened last season, he's a talented player who could help the offense in a major way if he makes a second-year leap. Follow Patriots Wire on Twitter and Facebook.
USA Today
22-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Patriots rookie reveals what made him appreciate jersey number change
New England Patriots rookie wide receiver Kyle Williams didn't get his first choice in jersey numbers because both of his first two options were already taken. He originally wore the No. 1 jersey at Washington State, and he wore No. 2 at UNLV. Second-year wide receiver Ja'Lynn Polk is currently wearing the No. 1 jersey, and the No. 2 jersey was already taken by veteran edge rusher Harold Landry III. That ultimately led to Williams receiving the No. 18 jersey, which has a long history in New England. That number belonged to all-time great special-teams legend Matthew Slater. ESPN's Mike Reiss wrote: "Williams wore No. 1 at Washington State and No. 2 at Nevada, which were already taken by Ja'Lynn Polk and Landry. Williams has quickly grown to appreciate No. 18, in part because of its history in New England. "'The legendary Matthew Slater,' he said, adding that he hopes to live up to Slater's example." Following in the footsteps of one of the greatest players in franchise history would be a great path for a young and promising player like Williams. He is looking to make an impact as a rookie in a Patriots wide receivers room that was one of the worst performing units last season. However, they have made strides with the addition of not only Williams, but they've also signed four-time Pro Bowler Stefon Diggs and veteran wideout Mack Hollins. The motivation that comes from wearing the No. 18 jersey should push the young wide receiver to give his all and take nothing for granted. It would be a major success if Williams could make even a sliver of the impact that Slater made in his legendary career. Follow Patriots Wire on Twitter and Facebook.
USA Today
03-06-2025
- Business
- USA Today
2nd rounders in 2nd year: 2025 outlook for Patriots WR Ja'Lynn Polk
2nd rounders in 2nd year: 2025 outlook for Patriots WR Ja'Lynn Polk Not every second-round draft pick finds immediate success in the NFL. That plain fact often obscures a player's initial evaluation in our society of instant gratification and immediate validation. Some are drafted with an eye for the future more than heavy usage in the present. That's the basis for our series focusing on the 2024 second-rounders who didn't get a chance to do a lot as rookies, for a variety of reasons. So far, we've covered: Cowboys EDGE Marshawn Kneeland Cardinals CB Max Melton Chiefs OL Kingsley Suamataia Lions CB Ennis Rakestraw Falcons DT Ruke Orhorhoro Next up is a player with a lot to prove in Year 2: Ja'Lynn Polk. The New England Patriots selected Polk with the No. 37 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft after a strong career playing wide receiver at Washington (and Texas Tech prior). The 6-foot-1, 203-pound Polk offered impressive size and exceptional ball tracking skills, performing very well as part of a talented WR ensemble for the Huskies. The Patriots liked what they saw from Polk in training camp and preseason to give him chances to play extensively early on. He started five of the first six games, primarily operating outside but shifting into the slot for about 20 percent of his snaps. Polk struggled to get off press coverage, and his pedestrian speed didn't work as effectively in the NFL as it did in college. After getting 26 targets and hauling in just 10 of them for 84 yards in the first seven games, Polk missed Week 8 with a concussion. The Patriots effectively moved on from Polk thereafter; Polk had just two catches on seven targets in the remainder of his rookie season. Based on how New England approached their offseason, that move away from Polk might persist--at least in 2025. The Patriots added free agent WRs Stefon Diggs and Mack Hollins, and both are above Polk on the Patriots depth chart. Hollins is a much bigger and more accomplished "big" receiver, while Diggs is a master route runner and dynamic Pro Bowl talent. The Patriots also drafted Washington State speedster Kyle Williams in the third round, adding to a receiver room that still has useful vet Kendrick Bourne and third-year Kayshon Boutte, who finished second on the team in WR targets a year ago. Polk figures to get chances to impress the new coaching staff headed by Mike Vrabel, but he's got real work to do to stay relevant in the Patriots' plans in 2025. Improving his release off the line and handling physicality would be a good place to start for Polk.
USA Today
06-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Ja'Lynn Polk's blunt reaction to Patriots signing WR Stefon Diggs
Ja'Lynn Polk's blunt reaction to Patriots signing WR Stefon Diggs New England Patriots wide receiver Ja'Lynn Polk reacted to the team signing Stefon Diggs when answering questions from fans on Instagram Live. '[Expletive], we got another dawg, man. [Expletive] finna get real," said Polk. Diggs signed a three-year, $69 million deal to come to New England. The four-time Pro Bowl receiver adds a top playmaking option to the Patriots' offense on the field. Meanwhile, he could serve as a key veteran mentor for a young player like Polk, who struggled during his rookie season. Polk showed promise throughout training camp, but he was never able to put it together on the field in live games. There's hope that a year under his belt and improved confidence go a long way in him finally breaking out in Year 2. There could be more competition to compete with for wide receiver reps. Along with the addition of Diggs, the Patriots signed free agent receiver Mack Hollins in the offseason. They might also add another top-tier option in the 2025 NFL draft. Follow Patriots Wire on Twitter and Facebook.
