New England Patriots wide receiver Ja'Lynn Polk saw the field on Sunday but didn't show up in the box score. During the 28-22 loss to the Los Angeles Rams, Polk saw 41% of the offensive snaps but didn't see a single target. This marks his first game with zero targets and his third with zero receptions. He came into his rookie season with some higher expectations but currently sits behind Kendrick Bourne, DeMario Douglas, and Kayshon Boutte in terms of priority in the passing game. The Patriots head to Miami to take on the Dolphins in Week 12.
New England Patriots wide receiver Ja'Lynn Polk (concussion) has been removed from the final injury report and will play against the Tennessee Titans in Week 9. The rookie returns from an absence that ultimately lasted just one game. This week, he could be catching passes from either Drake Maye (concussion) or Jacoby Brissett, and we likely won't get confirmation on the quarterback position until Sunday. In the meantime, fantasy managers should make sure Polk is on their bench against a Titans defense allowing the third-fewest fantasy points per game to wide receivers who play out wide.
New England Patriots wide receiver Ja'Lynn Polk (concussion) was listed as limited for Wednesday's practice. The rookie wideout was unavailable for this past Sunday's win over the New York Jets after picking up a concussion the week prior, but he's started on the right foot this week. He'll have a few more days to ramp up his activity ahead of Week 9's road tilt against the Tennessee Titans. However, Polk will still need to be cleared by an independent neurologist before he's eligible to suit up. Despite it not showing up in the 22-year-old's on-field production, he's the second-leading receiver on the roster regarding snap share, behind only DeMario Douglas. Still, it is worth noting that second-year WR Kayshon Boutte has led all Pats pass-catchers in that regard over the last three weeks.
New England Patriots rookie wide receiver Ja'Lynn Polk (concussion) will not suit up in Week 8 when the Patriots face the New York Jets. Polk remained sidelined during practice the entire week and will now set his sights on returning in Week 9 to face the Tennessee Titans. The Washington product has had a rough start to his professional career as he has caught just ten passes through his first seven games with 78 yards and one score. As a result, fantasy managers should expect Demario Douglas and Kayshon Boutte to lead the New England passing attack against the New York secondary who has allowed the fifth-fewest points to opposing wideouts.
New England Patriots wide receiver Ja'Lynn Polk (concussion) remains out of practice on Thursday as he works through concussion protocol. The rookie second-round pick out of Washington is looking less likely to play in Week 8 as the week moves forward after suffering a concussion in Week 7. That said, Polk should not be in starting fantasy football lineups even if he does play against a New York Jets defense that has allowed the seventh-fewest fantasy points per game to wide receivers. Polk has hauled in just 10 of his 26 targets for 78 yards and one touchdown through Week 7. Demario Douglas and Hunter Henry are the early favorites to be Drake Maye's favorite targets in 2024.
New England Patriots rookie wide receiver Ja'Lynn Polk (concussion) is in the league's concussion protocol, according to head coach Jerod Mayo. Polk was diagnosed with a concussion in the Week 7 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars in London on Sunday and is now in danger of missing a Week 8 divisional clash against the New York Jets this weekend. The 22-year-old second-round selection will eventually need to be cleared by an independent neurologist later this week if he wants to suit up on Sunday. In his first seven NFL games in 2024, Polk has been inconsistent with drops and has just 10 catches on 26 targets for 78 yards and a touchdown, so he's been completely unreliable in fantasy. If Polk is inactive against the Jets, it will open up more snaps for Kayshon Boutte, Kendrick Bourne and K.J. Osborn behind Demario Douglas.
New England Patriots wide receiver Ja'Lynn Polk (head) exited during the second half of Sunday's game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. He was officially listed as questionable but ultimately did not return to the contest. He finished Week 7 with zero catches on three targets. He continues to be plagued by drops and also fell down while being targeted on a two-point conversion attempt on Sunday. The Patriots are struggling to stay healthy on the offensive side of the ball with Polk off the field and Demario Douglas (illness) playing a reduced role. Douglas should be good to go for Week 8 against the New York Jets, but Polk is less of a sure thing. He'll presumably be evaluated for a potential concussion and closely monitored ahead of next week's contest. For the time being, Polk is off the fantasy radar.
Ja'Lynn Polk Tough To Trust Despite Favorable Matchup
New England Patriots wide receiver Ja'Lynn Polk is not a dependable fantasy option for Week 7 against the Jacksonville Jaguars. On one hand, you would expect Polk, who played 100 percent of snaps just two weeks ago, to thrive against a Jaguars defense allowing the third-most receptions, second-most receiving yards, fifth-most touchdowns, and second-most fantasy points to opposing receivers this year. However, we've seen him take a slight step backward lately as he caught just one pass on a 65 percent snap share in Drake Maye's first career start last week. The rookie receiver was also called out by head coach Jerod Mayo, who said Polk needed "to get over this mental hump" and "eliminate the dropped passes." If the head coach can't trust Polk to stay mentally strong and catch passes that hit his hands, he'll likely play fewer snaps and have a smaller role within the offense, at least for the time being. Despite Sunday's favorable matchup, Polk's limited production this season and these concerning comments from Mayo leave him as a fringe top-50 fantasy receiver who can be benched in most leagues.
New England Patriots wide receiver Ja'Lynn Polk converted four targets into just one catch for four yards during Sunday's Week 6 loss to the Houston Texans. It was an underwhelming showing from Polk, who had started to generate significant buzz after playing 100 percent of offensive snaps last Sunday and commanding 13 targets over his previous two games. Instead, Polk took a step back this week, registering just the one catch while falling behind Kayshon Boutte in terms of both snap share (65 percent) and routes run (29). Interestingly, he operated ahead of Douglas in terms of snaps and routes but was drastically out-produced by him, too. Going forward, fantasy managers should view Polk as an inconsistent wide receiver option in fantasy football. He is worth stashing in dynasty leagues but can probably be dropped in most 12-team redraft formats.
New England Patriots wide receiver Ja'Lynn Polk will look to capitalize on expanded opportunities while catching passes from Drake Maye, who was installed as the team's starting quarterback over Jacoby Brissett heading into Week 6. Polk got off to a slow start early in his rookie campaign but has come around strong lately, commanding 13 targets over his last two games. He played every single offensive snap last Sunday, caught his first career touchdown in Week 2, and almost had another score in Week 5 if not for his foot just barely stepping out of bounds. We don't know exactly what type of role Polk will have in his first game with Maye, but he's trending toward becoming the Patriots' No. 1 receiver. He's worth deploying as a WR3 in deep fantasy leagues, but managers must remember he has a low floor.
Ja'Lynn Polk
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Patriots
