Makai Lemon’s injury should have Eagles calling the Patriots about a wide receiver

NFL training camps are brutal – one injury can turn a luxury into a desperation move overnight.  Right now, the Eagles are inching toward that cliff at wide receiver. Rookie Makai Lemon is stuck on the sidelines with a recurring hamstring issue, killing his momentum right when Philly needs to lock in their rotation. Sure, they’ve got A.J. Brown at the top, but betting on Lemon to just “get healthy” is dangerous. May 1, 2026; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Makai Lemon (9) runs drills during rookie minicamp at NovaCare Complex. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images Howie Roseman needs to pick up the phone and call New England. MORE: NFL top 5 richest teams in 2026 And no, he’s not asking about A.J. Brown. The Patriots aren’t undoing that blockbuster two months later. He should be asking about Kayshon Boutte. Boutte has been the subject of trade chatter all summer. New England’s WR room is crowded after they brought in Brown and Romeo Doubs, and Boutte even admitted in camp that he knows how the business works. Philadelphia needs to jump on that. Boutte isn’t a star, but that’s the point. The Eagles don’t need another expensive headliner; they need someone with actual experience who can handle meaningful snaps if Lemon keeps dealing with that hamstring. New England Patriots wide receiver Kayshon Boutte (9) reacts after defeating the Denver Broncos in the 2026 AFC Championship Game at Empower Field at Mile High. Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images MORE: Rating every NFL game on the Monday Night Football schedule in 2026 Last year, Boutte put up 551 yards and six touchdowns on 33 catches, averaging 16.7 yards a pop. He’s got speed, he’s got NFL reps, and he’s young enough to be more than just a quick rental. The Patriots have every reason to listen, too. They’ve poured resources into the position, and with Boutte entering the last year of his deal – and trade rumors swirling for months – he’s exactly the kind of guy Roseman should be targeting before the rest of the league starts fighting for depth pieces. Lemon might be fine. But Philadelphia is chasing a championship, not waiting around for a hamstring to heal. One phone call could lock in some cheap insurance.  And it makes a lot more sense than rolling the dice. — Enjoy free coverage of the top news & trending stories with The Big Lead Newsletter —