New England Patriots wide receiver Marqise Lee is the latest player to join the long list of players who opted out of the 2020 season. His decision was influenced by concerns for his family's health in light of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

ESPN NFL reporter Mike Reiss disclosed the developments on Twitter:

Lee joins a list already consisting of fullback Danny Vitale, guard Najee Toran, safety Patrick Chung, offensive tackle Marcus Cannon, linebacker Dont'a Hightower, and rusher Brandon Bolden.

The six-year pro began his football journey with the University of Southern California Trojans. He had a productive stint as an amateur as he bagged the 2011 Pac-12 Freshman Offensive Co-Player of the Year, inclusion in the 2012 All-Pac-12 first team, 2012 Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Year and was a unanimous All-American awardee in the same year. He also moonlighted as a member of the USC track and field team, mainly competing in the long jump and sprint relay events. In his three-year amateur career, he accounted for a total of 248 receptions for 3,655 yards and 29 touchdowns.

The Jacksonville Jaguars then selected Lee in the second round (39th overall) of the 2014 NFL Draft. He spent the majority of his young career with the Jaguars in a span of six seasons. A season-ending knee injury sustained back in 2018 dampened his stint in Jacksonville as he finished last season with just three catches for 18 yards in six appearances. Lee was eventually released by the Jaguars on April 20, 2020.

He went on to find a new home in New England as he signed a one-year, $910,000 base deal to join the Patriots during the offseason. Unfortunately, Patriots nation still has to wait a little longer to see the newly-acquired wideout in action.

The rest of the Patriots will take the field for the first time in the 2020 season as they host the Miami Dolphins on September 13.