The New England Patriots just recently signed Reggie Wayne to a one year deal and good thing they did because Brandon LaFell may have to start the season on the Reserve/PUP list, according to Chris Rivers of WEEI.com. If LaFell were to miss the opening game of the season he would be one of at least three Patriots starters to miss the opening game as both LaGarrette Blount and Tom Brady are suspended.
LaFell is currently dealing with a foot injury that has not allowed him to practice all offseason as he has been on the active/PUP list since July 27th. LaFell is reportedly not wearing a walking boot or walking with a limp but he still has yet to get on the practice field despite reportedly looking healthy. Patriots' players are typically not allowed to speak with the media when they are injured so LaFell has been unable to offer any updates but his status for the beginning of the season is up in the air.
If LaFell were to start the season on the PUP list he would have to miss the team's first six games and that is where the signing of Wayne becomes huge. LaFell is projected to start at wide receiver for the Patriots along with Julian Edelman and either Danny Amendola or Wayne if he earns a spot. The fact that LaFell is neither wearing a boot nor limping around is a sign that he might not have to be placed on the PUP list but if he doesn't get on the practice field soon the Patriots may have no other choice.
In his first season with New England a season ago the 28 year old LaFell had a career year. Although he started off slow LaFell ended up playing in all 16 games (13 starts) and he caught 74 passes for 953 yards and seven touchdowns. Aside from Edelman and Rob Gronkowski, LaFell became Brady's most trusted target and was a good bet to improve upon last year's success before this foot injury.
As of right now Patriots fans shouldn't fret too much about LaFell's injury as the PUP list is not a foregone conclusion for him but Rivers did say he wouldn't be shocked at all if LaFell began the year there. If LaFell isn't on the practice field sometime very soon the Patriots will either have to place him on the regular season PUP list or rule him inactive for the games until he is healthy enough to play.
