Former Washington Huskies star wide receiver Ja’Lynn Polk has had a tough start to his NFL career with the New England Patriots. The second-round pick in April’s NFL draft has just 10 catches for 78 yards and a touchdown so far in his rookie campaign and has taken a lot of criticism from coach Jerod Mayo for drop issues.
Then, during the team’s 32-16 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars in London, Polk suffered a concussion that caused him to leave the game early and miss the following week’s matchup against the New York Jets.
Polk was able to turn in full practices on both Thursday and Friday, signifying he’s cleared the NFL’s concussion protocol and will return when the Patriots take on the Tennessee Titans on Sunday. But he isn’t the only member of New England’s offense who cleared the protocol.
Quarterback Drake Maye, who the Patriots selected at No. 3 overall in April, suffered a head injury in the 25-22 win over the Jets but was removed from New England’s injury report, putting him in line to start his fourth game. The Patriots selected Maye and Polk with high hopes for the future of the organization, and while the two don’t appear to be in sync just yet, the quarterback has high hopes for their future together.
“It’s only our second game out there together,” Maye told the media after the London game. “I feel like we’ve left some plays out there, both ball placement-wise, and I’m sure he’d like to have some plays back himself. I think it’s just building the camaraderie, and I think we’re going to get there.”