Patriots wide receiver Tyquan Thornton appears to be battling for a spot on New England’s roster in just his third season.
The 23-year-old has had a good training camp so far, but the real test will start Monday when the Patriots don pads for the first time.
“I feel like the first four practices have been real smooth,” Thornton told reporters after Day 4 of Patriots training camp on Sunday, per team-provided video. “Just glad to be back out here, playing football, working with the guys and fellowshipping.”
Thornton was selected 50th overall by the Patriots in the 2022 NFL Draft. However, due to injuries, he has missed 12 games over the last two seasons, and his impact on the field has been underwhelming in the 22 games he has played. He totaled 338 yards on 35 catches and two touchdowns (both of which came in one game). Thornton said he felt more comfortable now that he is heading into his third season with New England.
“I definitely feel a lot more comfortable,” he said. “I mean, this being year three, being out there with the guys and just feels like a routine now at this point. It’s definitely great to get the one-on-ones.”
The 6-foot-2 Baylor product added some muscle in the offseason, increasing his weight from 185 pounds to 191.
“Definitely felt the difference,” Thornton said. “Just being able to fight against pressure and not getting knocked off my routes kind of easily. … Really it’s all about being able to hit the ground and pop back up. All my injuries have been from the ground. … Injuries come with the game but my focus was putting on muscle so I could play a full season.”
New England has plenty of depth at wide receiver, with Demario Douglas, Kendrick Bourne, K.J. Osborn and rookies Ja’Lynn Polk and Javon Baker mostly making the Patriots roster. Thornton, Jalen Reagor and JuJu Smith-Schuster will most likely be on the bubble, fighting for one or two spots.
The Patriots have to finalize their initial 53-man roster on Aug. 27.
