Bruce Ellington

New England Patriots
Wide Receiver #10
New England Patriots
Wide Receiver #10

Bruce Ellington News

Released with injury waiver

Ellington (undisclosed), who was cut by the Patriots earlier Wednesday, was released with an injury designation, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.

Analysis: It's not clear what Ellington is dealing with. If we had to guess, it likely has something to do with the persistent hamstring woes he's dealt with over his career. After all, the receiver had part of his hamstring removed after tearing it in 2016 and has now ended each of the past three seasons on IR with the injury.

May 8, 2019 2:19 PM EST


Cut loose by Patriots

Ellington was released by the Patriots on Wednesday, James Palmer of NFL Network reports.

Analysis: It's not clear why Ellington is being let go, but it's possible his dismissal was an effort to create a roster spot for a young or undrafted player that has tried out for New England in recent days. The Patriots have also added first-round rookie receiver N'Keal Harry, veteran Demaryius Thomas (Achilles) and Maurice Harris since originally signing Ellington in March. Ellington should have a solid chance of landing another contract before training camps start up.

May 8, 2019 1:48 PM EST



$25,000 guaranteed in new contract

Ellington's one-year, $895,000 deal with the Patriots includes $25,000 guaranteed, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.

Analysis: Once the Patriots were outbid for slot man Adam Humphries, they turned to lower-cost flyers on Ellington and Maurice Harris ($90,000 guaranteed). Ellington, who the 49ers took in the fourth round of the 2014 NFL Draft, hauled in 31 passes for 224 yards and a TD in seven 2018 games (four with the Lions and three with the Texans). If the 5-foot-9, 200-pounder can stay healthy, he can push for a slot role behind Julian Edelman, as well as potentially help out in the return game. Given the terms of his new deal, Ellington isn't a lock to make the team, but his experience playing under Bill O'Brien with Houston and Matt Patricia with Detroit (a pair of coaches with previous ties to the Patriots) should give the 27-year-old a bit of a leg up in terms of familiarity with his new team's system.

Mar 20, 2019 9:41 AM EST


Getting chance in New England

Ellington (hamstring) is signing a one-year deal with the Patriots, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Analysis: The Patriots are plenty familiar with Ellington's game considering the Super Bowl champs played the receiver's team three times over the course of the past two seasons -- and the slot receiver snagged 12 passes for 189 yards and two scores in those games. However, it's not clear if this same sort of role awaits him in New England given the presence of slot maven Julian Edelman. Perhaps he could win a job as an outside receiver if not for anything but the Patriots' lack of options at wideout, but it's also possible he was signed primarily to return punts and kickoffs.

Mar 14, 2019 1:28 PM EST


Cut by Lions

Ellington (hamstring) was released by the Lions on Friday, Tim Twentyman of the Lions' official site reports.

Analysis: Ellington caught on with Detroit late in the 2018 season, catching 23 of 30 targets for 132 yards in four games before a hamstring injury sent him to injured reserve. He's proven to be a competent slot receiver on a few different occasions, but persistent hamstring issues have kept him off the field for most of his pro career. Regardless of where he ends up, Ellington figures to enter training camp on the roster bubble.

Feb 15, 2019 11:01 AM EST



Scheduled for free agency

Ellington (hamstring) can become an unrestricted free agent in March, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Analysis: The 2014 fourth-round pick has bounced from San Francisco to Houston to Detroit, seemingly losing jobs because of his persistent hamstring injuries rather than his performance. Ellington said he wants to return to Detroit after catching 23 of 30 targets for 132 yards in four games with the Lions late in the 2018 campaign. He doesn't figure to command a particularly large contract, given that he finished the season on injured reserve with yet another hammy injury. Ellington will turn 28 in August and hasn't shown much ability to contribute outside of the slot.

Jan 29, 2019 1:23 PM EST


Lands on injured reserve

Ellington (hamstring) was placed on injured reserve Saturday.

Analysis: Ellington was already ruled out for Sunday's game against the Vikings, which was set to be his second straight absence. The 27-year-old was a limited practice participant both weeks, making the move somewhat surprising. Regardless, Ellington will finish the 2018 season with 31 receptions for 224 yards and one touchdown over seven games between the Texans and Lions. Chris Lacy was signed to bolster Detroit's depth at wide receiver, though Andy Jones should again be the biggest benefactor of his absence.

Dec 22, 2018 1:13 PM EST


Sidelined for second straight week

Ellington (hamstring) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Vikings.

Analysis: For the second week in a row, Ellington will be sidelined after following a limited practice regimen Wednesday through Friday. Considering the wideout's extensive history of hamstring issues, he'll likely need to advance to full participation at some point next week in order to gain clearance for the season finale against the Packers. His absence for another contest should open up more work in the passing game for Andy Jones, who hauled in both of his targets for nine yards and scored his first career touchdown in Week 15 against the Bills.

Dec 21, 2018 12:57 PM EST


Still restricted in practice

Ellington (hamstring) was limited in Thursday's practice.

Analysis: Ellington spent time on the Texans' injured reserve list earlier this season due to the hamstring and sat out the Week 15 loss to the Bills with the same injury, so it wouldn't be surprising if the Lions restricted his practice reps the rest of the way. That leaves the slot wideout's status uncertain for Sunday's game against the Vikings, potentially creating an opening for Andy Jones to see an elevated role on offense for another week.

Dec 20, 2018 1:21 PM EST


Limited in return to practice

Ellington (hamstring) was a limited participant at Wednesday's practice.

Analysis: Ellington took a step forward after failing to practice in any capacity last week, but it's still hard to have confidence once his history of hamstring injuries is accounted for. The 27-year-old slot receiver does at least seem to have some shot at returning for Sunday's game against the Vikings.

Dec 19, 2018 1:34 PM EST


Returns to practice

Ellington (hamstring) returned to practice Wednesday, Tim Twentyman of the Lions' official site reports.

Analysis: It isn't clear how involved Ellington was in the session, but this is nonetheless a step in the right direction after the receiver missed last week's loss to Buffalo with an unspecified hamstring injury. Ellington's potential return to the field in Week 16 against the Vikings would likely mean a decrease in playing time for Andy Jones.

Dec 19, 2018 12:01 PM EST


Won't play Sunday

Ellington (hamstring) has been ruled out for Sunday's game at Buffalo, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Analysis: Ellington's medical history is checkered with hamstring injuries, so the Lions seem to be opting for a cautious approach with the journeyman wide receiver. In his absence, expect Kelly Golladay to act as Matthew Stafford's (back) No. 1 wide receiver, with TJ Jones, Andy Jones and Brandon Powell rounding out the corps.

Dec 14, 2018 1:10 PM EST


Missing more practice

Ellington (hamstring) isn't practicing Friday, Tim Twentyman of the Lions' official site reports.

Analysis: Given his history of hamstring injuries and continued absence from practice, Ellington seems like a long shot to play in Sunday's game at Buffalo. The Lions will turn to some combination of TJ Jones, Andy Jones and Brandon Powell behind top target Kenny Golladay.

Dec 14, 2018 9:27 AM EST


Not present for practice

Ellington (hamstring) isn't participating in Thursday's practice, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Analysis: Ellington's back-to-back absences from the Lions' first two practices of Week 15 imply that the hamstring injury he's tending to is more significant than the back issue that had merely rendered him a limited participant for the past three weeks. He'll probably need to fit in some work Friday to have a realistic shot at filling his usual role as Detroit's top slot man in Sunday's game against the Bills.

Dec 13, 2018 11:03 AM EST


Misses practice

Ellington (hamstring) didn't practice Wednesday, Tim Twentyman of the Lions' official site reports.

Analysis: Bothered by a minor back issue the past few weeks, Ellington injured his hamstring during Sunday's 17-3 win over the Cardinals. Given his lengthy history of hamstring problems, the 27-year-old slot receiver doesn't seem especially likely to suit up for Sunday's game in Buffalo. An absence would free up more snaps for TJ Jones and Andy Jones, with Brandon Powell potentially also joining the mix.

Dec 12, 2018 1:37 PM EST


Won't return to Sunday's game

Ellington (hamstring) was ruled out of Sunday's contest in Arizona, Justin Rogers of The Detroit News reports.

Analysis: After catching all four of his looks for 17 yards, Ellington boasts 23 catches (on 30 targets) for 132 yards in four games with the Lions. However, his upcoming practice reps likely will be impacted by the hamstring injury that knocked him out Sunday. With Ellington sidelined, the Lions are down to three active wide receivers (Kenny Golladay, TJ Jones and Andy Jones) and one inactive (Brandon Powell, calf).

Dec 9, 2018 3:41 PM EST


Hurts hamstring Week 14

Ellington is questionable to return to Sunday's contest at Arizona due to a hamstring injury, Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com reports.

Analysis: Prior to his departure in the third quarter, Ellington gathered in all four of his targets for 17 yards. If he remains sidelined, the Lions will be down to three health wideouts (Kenny Golladay, TJ Jones and Andy Jones).

Dec 9, 2018 3:26 PM EST


Available Week 14

Ellington (back) is active for Sunday's game in Arizona, Kyle Meinke of MLive.com reports.

Analysis: Ellington's practice reps have been capped at limited participation for three weeks at this point, but the journeyman wide receiver will be available to Matthew Stafford (back) for a fourth consecutive contest as a Lion. Targets won't be difficult to come by opposite Kenny Golladay with Marvin Jones (knee) on IR and rookie running back Kerryon Johnson (knee) sidelined again. In the prior three games, Ellington gathered in 19 of his 26 targets for 115 yards.

Dec 9, 2018 11:59 AM EST


Questionable for Week 14

Ellington (back) was a limited participant in Friday's practice and is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Cardinals.

Analysis: For the third straight week, Ellington failed to advance beyond limited participation in practice, but his status for gameday doesn't look to be in any real jeopardy. While carrying questionable designations into the prior two contests, Ellington ultimately suited up and enjoyed full snap counts on both occasions, picking up 13 receptions for 63 yards along the way. Another PPR-friendly role in the Detroit passing attack awaits him Sunday.

Dec 7, 2018 1:33 PM EST


Retains limited listing

Ellington (back) was a limited participant at Thursday's practice.

Analysis: Ellington maintained the same level of participation from Wednesday, but he may have actually increased the extent of his activity Thursday since the prior session was merely a walk-through. Regardless, the wideout proved ahead of last week's loss to the Rams that he doesn't require a full practice to earn an active status for gameday, so the expectation is that he'll be ready to play Sunday in Arizona. Ellington has been peppered with 26 targets over the past three games and has hauled in 19 of them, but only has 115 yards and no touchdowns to show for it.

Dec 6, 2018 1:34 PM EST


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