The wide receiver has returned to the game day roster for Week 8.
When the New England Patriots announced their inactives against the New York Jets 90 minutes before kickoff, Tyquan Thornton’s name was not on the list. After missing two straight games as a healthy scratch, the former second-round draft pick officially returned to the game day roster for Week 8.
For head coach Jerod Mayo, that was the result of the work Thornton put in behind the scenes over the last few days leading up to the divisional game.
“He looked good. He had a good practice last week as well,” Mayo told 98.5 The Sports Hub ahead of the Patriots’ game on Sunday. “He’s trending in the right direction.”
Thornton started the regular season as the Patriots’ primary outside receiver, but struggled to produce alongside veteran quarterback Jacoby Brissett. By the time Brissett was pulled in favor of Drake Maye, he had caught just two passes for 27 yards — all of them in the season opener against Cincinnati.
Subsequently, Thornton was declared inactive for both of Maye’s starts so far. On Sunday, however, he will make his return.
Patriots vs. Jets will be kicked off at 1 p.m. ET at Gillette Stadium.