FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- The New England Patriots added to their quarterback room and will be subtracting from their wide receiving room Wednesday.
The Patriots claimed former New York Giants quarterback Tommy DeVito off waivers, and plan to release veteran wide receiver Kendrick Bourne on Wednesday after sources tell ESPN talks to trade him didn't come to fruition.
DeVito, who was waived by the Giants on Tuesday, will become the third quarterback on the Patriots' 53-man roster behind starter Drake Maye and backup Joshua Dobbs.
Bourne, a nine-year veteran who has totaled 292 receptions for 3,714 yards and 22 touchdowns over his career, was one of eight receivers kept on the Patriots' initial 53-man roster Tuesday. That is more than the norm and foreshadowed that the group would likely be thinned down in the coming days. The Minnesota Vikings had expressed interest in Bourne before trading for Adam Thielen, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter.
Bourne was entering his fifth season in New England, and provided insurance behind Stefon Diggs, Kayshon Boutte, DeMario Douglas and Mack Hollins on the depth chart. The Patriots also have rookies Kyle Williams (third round, Washington State) and slot Efton Chism III (undrafted, Eastern Washington) at receiver, along with 2024 fourth-round draft pick Javon Baker.
Bourne had not practiced since Aug. 1 after being rolled up on in an intrasquad scrimmage, but was closing on a return to the field, according to a source.
The 6-foot-1, 205-pound Bourne had his best NFL season in 2021, playing under coordinator Josh McDaniels in New England when he totaled 55 catches for 800 yards and five touchdowns. His ability to play multiple receiver spots added to his value, and Bourne had expressed excitement about McDaniels' return to the Patriots as coordinator this year and possibly duplicating those results.
Bourne spent the first four seasons of his NFL career with the San Francisco 49ers (2017-2020), who have been managing a short-handed situation at receiver in training camp/preseason and could potentially have interest in a reunion with Bourne.
The 49ers are "very interested" in a reunion with Bourne, a source told ESPN's Nick Wagoner.
