The state of Louisiana has dropped the underage gambling and computer-fraud charges against New England Patriots wide receiver Kayshon Boutte, according to Boutte's attorney. Boutte was arrested in January after he was alleged to have taken part in illegal sports betting during his time in college at LSU. It's great news for the 22-year-old that charges have been dropped, as he now is unlikely to be suspended in 2024 by the NFL. The Patriots selected Boutte in the sixth round (187th overall) last year, and he finished his rookie year in the NFL with just two catches on seven targets for 19 yards in five games played. New England's pass-catching corps is looking for someone to step up in a starting role in head coach Jerod Mayo's first year at the helm in 2024, but Boutte will have to perform in training camp to earn his spot on the active roster heading into Week 1.
New England Patriots wide receiver Kayshon Boutte had been relatively quiet in the early portion of spring workouts, had a coming out party in the final minicamp practice on Wednesday. He received more opportunities with Tyquan Thornton out of practice. Boutte was next in line with the first-team offense behind Jalen Reagor, who was used as the "X" receiver. Four of Boutte's catches on Wednesday went for touchdowns. The 22-year-old sixth-round pick last year has a lot of competition in a mediocre New England receiver room in his second year in the league. In 2023, he had just two receptions for 19 yards in five games played. For now, Boutte is merely a player to watch in minicamp this summer to see how the Pats' wideout corps shakes out. Boutte could also be facing a suspension to open the 2024 campaign.
New England Patriots wide receiver Kayshon Boutte was arrested on Thursday on charges related to illegal online sports gambling. The rookie allegedly created an online betting account under a fictitious name and then placed illegal bets while he was still under the age of 21 and not legally allowed to gamble. He is accused of placing nearly 9,000 bets, including at least two bets on an LSU game that he played in. Boutte was once viewed as a potential first-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft but ultimately fell to the sixth round. He caught just two passes for 19 yards in his rookie campaign, and off-the-field incidents are not going to help his cause to get more opportunities moving forward.
New England Patriots wide receiver Kayshon Boutte (illness) has been ruled out for Sunday's Week 17 game against the Buffalo Bills. Boutte did not even make the trip with the team to Buffalo. The rookie wideout has appeared in just four games this season, usually as a healthy scratch, so his absence on Sunday shouldn't affect the offense too much. With JuJu Smith-Schuster (ankle) also being ruled out for Sunday, the Patriots will continue to rely on Demario Douglas and DeVante Parker to lead their depleted receiving corps.
JuJu Smith-Schuster, Kayshon Boutte Won't Play In Week 15
New England Patriots wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster (ankle) is inactive for Week 15 against the Kansas City Chiefs. He had been listed as questionable coming off a big four-catch, 90-yard performance against the Steelers last week. DeVante Parker and Tyquan Thornton should earn more snaps in his absence. However, Demario Douglas will operate as the Patriots' top receiver and is the only Patriots wide receiver worth starting in fantasy football. Joining Smith-Schuster on the sideline will be rookie wide receiver Kayshon Boutte, who is a healthy scratch once again.
New England Patriots rookie wide receivers Demario Douglas (concussion) and Kayshon Boutte (shoulder) remained limited in Thursday's practice. A concussion has kept Douglas out of New England's last two outings, and it remains unknown if the rookie wideout has passed each phase of the protocol. Friday's injury designations should present more clarity on the health of Douglas, who hopes to return on Sunday at home versus the Kansas City Chiefs. The 23-year-old was emerging a bit after missing Week 6, tallying 5.2 catches on 7.6 targets for 53.4 yards per game over his last five contests before going down, but he would be a low-end WR4 in fantasy if he returns against a tough Chiefs defense. Boutte has two catches on seven targets for 19 yards in seven games this season and would belong nowhere near fantasy lineups if active with a shoulder injury in Week 15.
Demario Douglas, Kayshon Boutte Won't Face Steelers
New England Patriots rookie wide receivers Demario Douglas (concussion) and Kayshon Boutte (shoulder) have been ruled out for the Thursday night contest versus the Pittsburgh Steelers. Douglas suffered a concussion in Week 12 and will now miss his second straight game. Receivers DeVante Parker (knee) and JuJu Smith-Schuster (ankle) are questionable to play, so the worst offense in football could be extremely thin at the receiver position on the road in a tough matchup against the Steelers. Parker led the Patriots in receiving last week with Douglas out and he should once again have a substantial role if he's active. However, all of New England's pass-catchers have a scary low fantasy ceiling and floor. Douglas had been quarterback Mac Jones' favorite target before Douglas' injury and before Jones was benched in favor of Bailey Zappe.
Demario Douglas, Kayshon Boutte Missing From Practice
New England Patriots rookie wide receivers Demario Douglas (concussion) and Kayshon Boutte (shoulder) were listed as non-participants on Monday's estimated practice report. Douglas, who had become New England's most targeted wideout after Kendrick Bourne's (knee) season-ending injury, suffered a concussion in Week 12 and did not play in the Week 13 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. Neither he nor Boutte, a rookie that has been active only three times in 2023, are likely to suit up on a short week this Thursday night against the Pittsburgh Steelers. DeVante Parker was the biggest beneficiary in the passing game with Douglas out this past Sunday, as he led the team in receiving, but it's extremely tough to trust any Patriots receivers in fantasy lineups right now.
New England Patriots rookie wide receiver Kayshon Boutte (illness, shoulder) has been ruled out for the Week 13 contest on Sunday against the Los Angeles Chargers. In addition to Boutte, fellow rookie receiver Demario Douglas (concussion), who had become the team's top target with Kendrick Bourne (knee) done for the year, will also be unavailable this weekend. It means an already terrible offense that is now turning to Bailey Zappe at quarterback will be down to JuJu Smith-Schuster, DeVante Parker and Tyquan Thornton as their starting wideouts. Boutte, 21, will now miss his ninth game of the year. At best, he's a stash candidate in dynasty/keeper leagues. The sixth-round pick has two catches for 19 yards in the three games he's played in.
New England Patriots rookie wide receiver Kayshon Boutte (illness, shoulder) joined fellow rookie Demario Douglas (concussion) on the sidelines at practice on Thursday after he was limited on Wednesday with a shoulder injury. Even though Boutte's absence on Thursday was likely because of illness and not his shoulder, the 21-year-old should be considered questionable to play in Week 13 against the Los Angeles Chargers. Douglas has yet to practice this week, so an offense already lacking playmakers at all positions could be down to JuJu Smith-Schuster and DeVante Parker as their top two receivers this Sunday. Boutte has been well off the fantasy radar in 2023. He's played in just three games and caught one pass for eight yards on two targets in last week's loss to the New York Giants.
