Boutte has been having a strong training camp, Evan Lazar of the Patriots' official site and Mike Reiss of ESPN report.

EDGE Analysis

Lazar notes that based on recent practices, the Stefon Diggs/DeMario Douglas/Boutte trio has received a lot of reps, along with third-rounder Kyle Williams, with Mack Hollins also receiving some first-team reps since returning from the PUP list. While Diggs -- assuming his health -- and Douglas appear to be locked into key roles in the crowded Patriots wide receiver corps, Boutte remains in contention for a key role alongside that duo while competing with Williams and Hollins as well as Kendrick Bourne, Ja'Lynn Polk and Javon Baker.

Boutte still took some snaps with the starters during Thursday's walk-through practice, but he lost some first-team reps to Mack Hollins, who's back from the PUP list, Mike Reiss of ESPN reports.

EDGE Analysis

In Hollins' absence, it was mostly Boutte who had been working with the first unit alongside Stefon Diggs, with DeMario Douglas in the slot. Now that Hollins is back in the mix, Boutte will continue to compete for slotting in a crowded WR corps that also includes Kyle Williams, Kendrick Bourne and Ja'Lynn Polk. While Boutte no doubt has an opportunity to secure a role in the Patriots' passing offense this season, the addition of Diggs (if healthy) in particular clouds Boutte's path to steady volume in 2025, after he was third on the team with 68 targets last season.

Boutte, Stefon Diggs and DeMario Douglas opened training camp Wednesday as New England's first-team wide receivers, Mike Kadlick of CLNSMedia.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Diggs is locked in for one starting job -- assuming his return from an ACL tear continues to go swimmingly -- and Douglas figures to be the slot man again. That leaves Boutte to compete with rookie third-round Kyle Williams and others for one starting job, with Boutte hoping to build on his strong finish to 2024. He had 240 yards and two TDs over the final three weeks of last season after recording 336 yards and one TD across 10 previous starts. Bourne has a chance to defend his starting job, but there's also risk of dropping off the roster if he struggles this summer, as Diggs, Douglas and Williams are locks to make it, leaving only 2-to-3 spots up for grabs between Boutte, Kendrick Bourne, Mack Hollins (undisclosed), Ja'Lynn Polk (shoulder), Javon Baker, Efton Chism and others.

Boutte, whose name was brought up in offseason trade rumors, remains with the Patriots and is slated to compete for slotting in the team's re-tooled wide receiver corps, Evan Lazar of the team's official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

In his second season with New England, Boutte broke out with 43 catches for 589 yards and three TDs across 15 regular-season games, but the offseason addition of free agents Stefon Diggs (knee) and Mack Hollins, as well as the presence of 2025 third-rounder Kyle Williams, figures to cut into Boutte's snap and target shares. Also in the mix in a crowded WR room are slot man DeMario Douglas, Kendrick Bourne, 2024 draftees Ja'Lynn Polk and Javon Baker, as well as promising UDFA Efton Chism. Of the entire group, the standing of Diggs, Douglas, Williams and Hollins appear most solid, with Boutte among the handful of WRs poised to battle for the remaining spots on the team's 53-man roster.

Boutte (head) finished the 2024 regular season with 43 catches (on 68 targets) for 589 yards and three TDs in 15 games.

EDGE Analysis

After catching just two passes in five games as a rookie, the 2023 sixth-rounder began his second campaign as a pro in depth role, but by Week 5, Boutte began seeing steady snaps, a trend that lasted the rest of the season. The LSU product remains under contract with New England through 2026, and looking ahead, Boutte's fantasy upside in 2025 hinges on what moves the Patriots make this offseason in order to bolster their wideout corps. For now, DeMario Douglas, Kendrick Bourne, Ja'Lynn Polk and Javon Baker remain in the mix, but adding an impact player (or two) at the position is presumably a priority for the rebuilding franchise.

Boutte exited Sunday's game against the Bills due to a head injury.

EDGE Analysis

Prior to his departure from the contest, Boutte caught all seven of his targets for 117 yards and a TD. In his absence, DeMario Douglas, Kendrick Bourne, Javon Baker and Alex Erickson are available to handle New England's Week 18 wideout duties.

Boutte (illness) was a full participant in practice Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

Boutte was held out of Wednesday's practice after coming down with an illness, but his ability to take every rep a day later has him on track to play in Sunday's season finale versus the Bills. The second-year wideout has played at least three quarters of the Patriots' offensive snaps in 11 consecutive games and is averaging 2.9 receptions for 38.6 yards and 0.18 touchdowns on 5.1 targets during that stretch.

Boutte (illness) was on the field for practice Thursday, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

After missing Wednesday's session, Boutte's return to the field a day later has him trending toward being available for Sunday's season finale against the Bills. The Patriots will release their second injury report of the week later Thursday, when it will be known whether Boutte was a limited or full practice participant.

Boutte sat out Wednesday's practice because of an illness.

EDGE Analysis

It's not clear if Boutte is at risk of missing Sunday's season finale due to the ailment, but he'll have two more days this week to attempt to return to practice. The wideout played sparingly last season but has grown into a bigger role this year, logging at least 75 percent of the Patriots' offensive snaps every game since Week 6. If Boutte were to be unable to suit up Week 18, Kendrick Bourne would probably slide into New England's No. 2 receiver role.

Boutte caught four passes for 28 yards on five targets during Saturday's loss to the Chargers.

EDGE Analysis

In Week 16, Boutte broke the game open for the Patriots by scoring a long touchdown against the Bills, but he couldn't recreate the big play against the Chargers. It was arguably encouraging to see Boutte draw five targets on mostly shorter routes -- part of the struggle with Boutte this year has been the boom-or-bust category he landed in as a deep-route specialist -- so if Boutte can combine the short routes of Saturday with the longer catches he provided at earlier points this year, there could be untapped potential yet in the second-year wideout. The Patriots have their rematch against the Bills in Week 18.