Who Should I Start? Ja'Lynn Polk or JaQuae Jackson

Friday, January 3, 6:55 PM

New England Patriots rookie wide receiver Ja'Lynn Polk (shoulder) did not practice at all this week and has been ruled out for the Week 18 regular-season finale on Sunday against the division-rival Buffalo Bills. Meanwhile, fellow wideout Kayshon Boutte (illness) was cleared to play. The 22-year-old Polk will finish off what has been a bad rookie season early due to a shoulder injury. The second-round selection just never had much of a chance to excel in 2024 in a bad offense with rookie quarterback Drake Maye struggling to find his footing with limited weapons around him. Polk will finish his first year in the NFL with only 12 catches on 33 targets for 87 yards and two touchdowns in 15 games (seven starts). The Patriots will surely look to bring in upgraded receiving options this offseason, giving Polk and others even more competition.

Wednesday, February 12, 10:27 PM

NFL Network's Mike Garafolo reports that the New England Patriots re-signed wide receiver JaQuae Jackson (ankle) to an undisclosed deal on Wednesday. The undrafted free agent from Rutgers impressed the coaching staff in training camp last summer after he was originally released by the Atlanta Falcons in June, and he scored a 38-yard touchdown in the preseason before going down with an ankle injury. The 25-year-old pass-catcher spent all of the 2024 season on Injured Reserve but will now return with the team in 2025 to provide receiver depth. It's unclear how healthy Jackson currently is, but whenever he's back to full health, he'll compete for a roster spot with the Patriots this year.