Time for Patriots to Call Tyquan Thornton a 'Bust'?

"(I'm) using it as fuel, being inactive in my hometown Miami," Thornton declared, per Phil Perry of NBC Sports Boston. "That's something I (didn't) like. But it is what it is, got to keep rolling with the punches so this week's going to be a great one."

When he has taken the field, the Baylor alum Thornton has left much to be desired, grabbing just two receptions for eight yards. The names chosen immediately after Thornton at 50th overall in the 2022 draft aren't egregious, but some (i.e. George Pickens, Alec Pierce, Trey McBride) have established spots in their respective employers' starting lineups. 

As the Patriots prepare to kickoff this dreary march to the end of the year and a curious offseason, Thornton may be dressing by default: the Murphy's Law nature of this woebegone season cut Kendrick Bourne's season short, leaving New England drastically undermanned for Sunday's showdown against the Washington Commanders (1 p.m. ET, Fox). 

Thornton, at the very least, does appear to have the support of the New England coaching staff. Offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien, for example, indirectly labeled, Thornton one of the most intriguing Foxborough stories as they prepare to play out the stretch.

“Tyquan has really worked hard," O'Brien said, per Dakota Randall of NESN. “I think injuries have been something that in his brief career have held him back a little bit ... because of the fact that you missed time, it’s hard to get back into the lineup right away. There are other guys that have been playing. There’s a depth chart." 

"But, I do believe that he’s worked at it and he’s a guy that has a lot of skills that we look for in a receiver. Let’s see what happens as we head into the second half of the season.”