Ja'Lynn Polk caught just 12 passes for 87 yards last season, a disappointing stat line for a receiver that the Patriots thought would be an immediate impact player.
Ja'Lynn Polk caught just 12 passes for 87 yards last season, a disappointing stat line for a receiver that the Patriots thought would be an immediate impact player.Matthew J. Lee/Globe Staff
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Patriots wide receiver Ja’Lynn Polk will undergo season-ending shoulder injury, a league source confirmed Thursday.
The team plans to place the 23-year-old Polk on injured reserve.
The news is discouraging for Polk, who was hoping to reset this season following an underwhelming rookie year.
Polk practiced for two weeks this summer — he had missed the first four days of training camp while recovering from a different offseason shoulder procedure — before suffering the injury in the preseason opener on Aug. 8.
On the play, Polk took a handoff and ran to the sideline for a 1-yard gain. As he attempted to fight for more yards, he tried to stiff-arm Commanders cornerback Noah Igbinoghene and ended up landing hard on his shoulder on the tackle. Polk hasn’t returned to the field since.
Polk, drafted 37th overall in 2024, caught just 12 passes for 87 yards last season, registering a disappointing stat line for a receiver that the Patriots thought would be an immediate impact player. He spoke in July about his desire to move forward, saying, “When I get the opportunity to get going, we’re going to make it happen.”
Because of New England’s offseason moves (signing Stefon Diggs and Mack Hollins, drafting Kyle Williams), Polk was at risk of getting released on cutdown day.
By going on IR, Polk doesn’t count against the active roster while remaining under the Patriots’ control. He has two years remaining on his contract.
Nicole Yang can be reached at nicole.yang@globe.com.Follow her @nicolecyang.