Tyquan

Thornton

Although technically not a healthy scratch since he was listed with an ankle issue, let’s just say the Pats didn’t seem too anxious to get Thornton on the field. Going down as yet another Bill Belichick wideout mega-bust, Thornton heads into the offseason with 35 catches across 22 career games. Injuries have been almost as big of an issue as ineffectiveness. No matter who is on the sidelines or under center for the Pats in 2024, it seems unlikely Thornton will suddenly come into fantasy relevance.

With Demario Douglas cleared to return from his concussion, JuJu will move back into a part-time role if active. He is not on the fantasy radar for Week 15. His absence would boost Douglas’s FLEX outlook slightly. Tyquan Thornton is also questionable for Week 15.

It was a no-show performance considering Thornton, JuJu Smith-Schuster and Jalen Reagor were the Patriots’ only three healthy wideouts. With just 11 catches for 68 yards all season, Thornton’s 53-man roster spot is beginning to look in danger for 2024.

Douglas left the Patriots’ loss to the Giants with a head injury suffered on a punt return, but finished as the team’s leading receiver. He saw fewer than 10 yards per reception, but the shifty wideout has been a top receiver on the Pats for few weeks now. With Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe not pushing the ball downfield, Douglas took screens and worked around the line of scrimmage for his yards. His head injury is one to monitor ahead of a juicy matchup against the Chargers in Week 13. Douglas is a WR3 if he can play, but Tyquan Thornton and Kayshon Boutte, who combined for three Week 12 catches, would be slated for more opportunities if he misses time.

It’s a late addition to the injury report after not being listed on Friday. A healthy scratch last week, Thornton is now on the wrong of questionable for Week 9.

It has Thornton looking like the latest “mega yikes” receiver selection by the Pats’ long-struggling front office. Thornton is shaping up as a shaky Dynasty league hold even though he is still only 23 and one year removed from being a second-round pick. Joining Thornton on the sidelines are WR Kayshon Boutte, QB Will Grier, EDGE Josh Uche, OT Vederian Lowe and OT Calvin Anderson.

The team will be without wide receivers Demario Douglas and Juju Smith-Schuster for Week 6 with concussions, marking solid timing for Thornton to return to the active roster. Look for Thornton to combine with Kayshon Boutte to soak up the remaining wide receiver snaps left behind by DeVante Parker and Kendrick Bourne.

Thornton was designated to come off of injured reserve this week, and his timetable for return starts now. A limited practice indicates Thornton still has recovering to do before returning to full gameplay after a shoulder injury kept him out for the beginning of the season. Week 6 against the Raiders will be Thornton’s first chance to play.

With Demario Douglas and JuJu Smith-Schuster in concussion protocol, the Patriots could use Thornton in their receiving corps. Thornton was battling a shoulder injury prior to the season and started off on injured reserve. His return could provide a vertical boost to a lackluster Patriots offense.

This is notable because Thornton was placed on injured reserve at the start of the season, and is eligible to return to practice if he’s well enough to do so. With two practices now in the books this week, Thornton not returning to the field all but signals he’ll miss Week 5 against the Saints, but draws into question how much longer he could be out. The Patriots’ deep threat struggled in training camp and will now miss the first five games of the season come Sunday. It will be interesting to see if he can get on the field in any capacity for Week 6.