In a positive turn of events, New England Patriots wide receiver Kayshon Boutte has had the charges of underage gambling and computer fraud dropped by the State of Louisiana, according to a report by ESPN's Mike Reiss. This news comes just one week before Boutte is set to report to training camp.

Boutte, a sixth-round draft pick by the Patriots last offseason, was arrested in January after allegedly placing over 8,900 illegal wagers between April 2022 and May 2023. Investigators claimed that he had set up an online gaming account and falsely claimed to be of legal age to place those bets. Among the wagers were at least 17 bets on NCAA games, including six involving LSU, as per Louisiana Police records. However, Boutte ceased his gambling activities shortly after being drafted.

While the NFL allows players to participate in sports betting as long as the wagers are not related to the league, the league has not yet commented on Boutte's situation or whether he will face any potential discipline. Meanwhile, the Patriots have included Boutte in their offseason workout program, indicating that they have confidence in him moving forward.

During his rookie season, Boutte appeared in five games for the Patriots, playing a total of 116 offensive snaps. He finished the season with two catches for a combined 19 yards. As the team enters the 2024 season, Boutte is expected to compete for a spot on New England's wide receiver depth chart.

The Patriots' training camp is set to open on July 24, with veterans like Boutte reporting to Gillette Stadium one day prior. Rookies are scheduled to arrive on July 19, and Boutte will have the opportunity to showcase his skills and compete for a prominent role with the team.

Overall, the dropping of charges against Kayshon Boutte provides a positive start to his upcoming season with the Patriots. However, his legal troubles prior to this episode may still have some repercussions in terms of potential NFL discipline. As training camp approaches, all eyes will be on Boutte as he looks to prove his worth and solidify his spot on the roster.