What’s really going on with? The reasons for him not playing don’t pass the smell test — Miller So, I don’t believe it’s a simple as prioritizing snaps for young players nor do I think there’s any smoking gun.

The veteran wideout was active and in uniform, but Jerod Mayo opted to keep him on the bench against the Bears. When reporters entered the locker room at Soldier Field, Bourne was already gone, but a pair of young Patriots wideouts spoke about his impact from the sideline.