Tyquan Thornton’s run with the New England Patriots has ended after 28 games.
The organization informed the wide receiver that he is being waived, as first reported Saturday by ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Thornton, 24, arrived in Foxborough in the second round of the 2022 NFL draft at pick No. 50 overall following a trade-up with the Kansas City Chiefs. But the Baylor product, who ran the 40-yard dash in 4.28 seconds at the NFL Scouting Combine, never saw his speed translate into a sizeable role on offense.
Across 28 appearances, Thornton made 13 starts for the Patriots. The 6-foot-2, 185-pound wideout caught 39 passes on 76 targets for 385 yards over that span. He scored three touchdowns, including one as a rusher, as a rookie. Those would mark the lone visits to the end zone during his tenure.
Stints on injured reserve came in 2022 and 2023 for Thornton. And this fall, after starting the season opener versus the Cincinnati Bengals, he found himself a healthy inactive four times from October into November.
His most recent routes were logged versus the New York Jets, becoming two completions for 20 yards after halftime via backup quarterback Jacoby Brissett.
“Look, what I will say is, again, staying in the present, that Tyquan has done a good job in practice, and looking forward to seeing him in the game,” head coach Jerod Mayo told reporters leading up to last month’s AFC East matchup. “He will be at the game. He’s had a great week of practice, and he’ll be there, and hopefully it translates.”
Seeing 17.6% of the offensive snaps altogether in 2024, Thornton handled four receptions on eight targets for 47 yards. The former second-team All-Big 12 selection missed Thursday’s practice for personal reasons before returning on Friday. He did not carry a game status entering the weekend.
Seven wide receivers resided on the 53-man roster. The depth chart moves forward with six. That group includes sophomore startersKayshon Boutte and DeMario Douglas, rookies Ja’Lynn Polk and Javon Baker, as well as March signing K.J. Osborn and re-signing Kendrick Bourne. The latter veteran dressed but did not play versus the Chicago Bears last week after the NFL trade deadline passed.
With an open spot, that’s on track to change as the 3-7 Patriots deepen the depths elsewhere.
Defensive tackle Christian Barmore saw his 21-day window open this week after beginning the season on non-football injury list due to blood clots. Four-year, $84 million contract extendee practiced in a limited capacity on Thursday and was listed among the team’s questionable on Friday despite being a non-participant.
The team’s 2023 leader in sacks and quarterback hits will officially be activated in time for Saturday’s 4 p.m. ET cutoff for Week 11 moves, as NFL Media’s Ian Rapoportreported.