The Patriots activated rookie large receiver Tyquan Thornton off injured reserve Saturday, setting him as much as make his NFL debut Sunday versus the Lions.
Thornton fills the open roster spot created when backup quarterback Brian Hoyer landed on IR with a concussion earlier this week. Thornton was positioned on IR in late August after he broke his collarbone in the course of the Pats’ second preseason sport versus Carolina. The second-round speedster caught three passes for 22 yards and a landing within the preseason. Thornton had slowly been rising up the depth chart earlier than getting sidelined.
He joins a large receiver depth chart chock stuffed with veterans: DeVante Parker, Jakobi Meyers, Nelson Agholor, Kendrick Bourne and Lil’Jordan Humphrey. Recently, Humphrey has been used as a hybrid receiver/tight finish. The 6-foot-4, 230-pounder may kick inside to assist offset the lack of tight finish Jonnu Smith, who was listed as uncertain on the damage report.
Thornton is the quickest participant on the Patriots’ roster, having timed a 4.28 in his 40-yard sprint on the NFL mix. The 6-foot-2, 182-pounder additionally displayed sturdy ball abilities in apply and all kinds of releases to assist him beat press protection off the road of scrimmage.
In addition to returning Thornton, the Patriots elevated tight finish Matt Sokol off their apply squad. The 6-foot-5, 249-pounder has not appeared in a sport this season. Like Humphrey, he may assist change Smith or a minimum of present damage insurance coverage for starter Hunter Henry.
Sokol has by no means caught a cross in his four-year NFL profession.
Source: www.bostonherald.com
