FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- New England Patriots wide receiver Brandon LaFell has been placed on the reserve/physically unable to perform list, meaning he is ineligible to play until the seventh week of the regular season, a league source told ESPN NFL Insider Field Yates.
LaFell had been spotted in the offseason with a walking boot on his left foot.
No Patriots receiver played more snaps than LaFell last season, as he turned in a career year with 74 receptions for 953 yards and seven touchdowns. LaFell won over quarterback Tom Brady with his hard-nosed style of play, physicality and ability to make things happen after the catch.
The Patriots have been exploring contingency plans at the position with LaFell's condition in mind, which partly explains why they had signed veteran Reggie Wayne to a one-year contract on Aug. 25. But Wayne asked for his release and now the Patriots have Julian Edelman and Danny Amendola as their top receivers entering the season.
