Kayshon Boutte made a big play early in the Patriots season opener, but paid the price for it, absorbing a wicked hit in the first quarter.
The third-year wide receiver caught a 24-yard pass to move the chains on a third-and-10, but as Boutte ran back across the middle of the field, he was walloped by Raiders defender Devin White. The wideout never seemed appeared to see the linebacker pursuing him from behind and hit the turf hard.
Boutte stayed down on the field for a spell and walked off slowly flanked by Patriots medical personnel. He went right into the blue medical tent and spent a few minutes being examined, but eventually rejoined his teammates on the bench.
Then the wideout was right back out there for the next drive and caught two more passes, moving the chains again with a 15-yarder and adding another for 14 yards. It was certainly a welcome sight after the heavy hit he’d taken.
Patriots coaches have been bullish about Boutte following the offseason he delivered.
“I think he’s really turned a corner in being a professional football player. He was a football player that was really talented when I first met him,” wide receivers coach Todd Downing said. “And I’ve watched him commit to being a professional, meaning how he takes care of his body, how he eats, how he studies, how he does all the things that no one sees, that nobody puts on ESPN. He’s really doing a great job with that stuff.”
If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.