FOXBORO — Patriots extensive receiver Tyquan Thornton is eligible to come back off injured reserve this week, after lacking the primary 4 video games of the season on IR with the damaged collarbone he suffered in mid-August.
On Wednesday, Thornton appeared at his first follow for the reason that harm and wore a purple non-contact jersey.
Whether the second-round rookie is activated in time for Sunday’s sport in opposition to Detroit will rely upon his restoration and follow efficiency. The Pats held a walkthrough on Wednesday inside their follow bubble, as regular rains fell outdoors Gillette Stadium. Sunday’s forecast at the moment requires sunny skies and temperatures within the low 60s.
In the preseason, Thornton caught three passes for 22 yards and a landing. He broke his collarbone upon getting tackled within the first half of the Pats’ 20-10 residence win over Carolina. Until then, Thornton had slowly been rising up the depth chart and sometimes taking snaps forward of veteran Kendrick Bourne in coaching camp.
Through 4 video games, the Patriots’ receiver depth chart seems to have DeVante Parker and Nelson Agholor entrenched on the prime, with Bourne and Lil’Jordan Humphrey dividing snaps because the workforce’s No. 3 wideout. Humphrey has been enjoying a novel position for the Pats as a hybrid extensive receiver/tight finish, which can proceed with tight finish Jonnu Smith sidelined by a brand new ankle sprain.
Smith didn’t seem at follow Wednesday.
If/when Thornton does return, he would inject uncommon deep pace into the Pats offense. He clocked a 4.28 within the 40-yard sprint on the NFL Combine, quickest amongst all timed receivers.
The Patriots even have an open spot on their 53-man roster, for which practice-squad offensive deal with Marcus Cannon is a robust candidate after enjoying 25 snaps at Green Bay. Despite being on the follow squad, Cannon is the workforce’s new swing deal with, with backup Yodny Cajuste being positioned on IR final week.
Source: www.bostonherald.com