On Tuesday, Patriots first-round draft pick N'Keal Harry finally got to participate in his first practice since being placed on injured reserve, and he clearly was ecstatic to get back to work.
Being unable to contribute for the first six weeks of the season had to have been a difficult experience for the 21-year-old. But fortunately for him, he had fellow wideout Phillip Dorsett and the rest of his teammates to help out every step of the way.
“We’ve stayed on him,” Dorsett said, per WEEI. “I know I’ve stayed on him, talking to him every day about it. Just making sure that he’s in shape mentally, physically, emotionally, making sure he’s ready to play. Obviously, he has some time. He has to catch up, but he’ll be fine.”
When Harry returns, he could be a major difference-maker for a Patriots offense that could use some additional weapons. The wide receiver depth chart currently consists of Julian Edelman, Josh Gordon, Dorsett, and rookies Jakobi Meyers and Gunner Olszewski.
A first-round talent thrown into the mix could end up being just what the doctor ordered, and that's one of the multiple reasons why Dorsett wanted to lend Harry a helping hand.
“It’s not like I have to. I want to,” Dorsett said. “He’s a good guy. He’s my teammate. I want him to succeed just as much as I want to succeed. At the end of the day, if he succeeds, this team succeeds. We all have one goal. We want to win. And we know that he knows that he can help us win.”
Harry will be eligible to make his NFL debut in Week 9 (Nov. 3) when the Patriots visit the Baltimore Ravens.
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