The Patriots are in dire need of an offensive spark, and they welcomed back one of their most dynamic weapons on Tuesday. According to ESPN’s Mike Reiss, receiver Tyquan Thornton returned to practice today. This would signal that the Patriots have started the 21-day clock to activate Thornton from injured reserve.

Thornton suffered a shoulder injury in mid-August that ultimately landed him on injured reserve, keeping him off the field for the first four weeks of the season. There’s been increasing optimism that the former second-round pick could soon return, although he was forced to miss a fifth game before returning to practice. It remains to be seen if Thornton will be in the lineup for Sunday’s game against the Raiders.

Thornton doesn’t have much of a track record, having finished his rookie season with only 22 catches for 247 yards and two touchdowns. It’s unrealistic for him to completely turn around the offense, and any excitement surrounding his return is more a reflection of New England’s current offensive struggles.

The Patriots offense hasn’t found the end zone since Week 3, with Mac Jones tossing four interceptions over the past two games. Many of the offense’s issues can be directly attributed to Jones, and the underwhelming offensive play-calling has also come under fire (despite the return of offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien). Still, even if things were clicking, no one would be overly enthusiastic about New England’s receiving depth.

JuJu Smith-Schuster has averaged 17 yards per game since coming over to New England during the offseason. DeVante Parker has been limited to only 668 yards in 15 games with the Patriots (including four appearances this season), and tight end Mike Gesicki has 12 catches through his first five games with the organization. Wide receiver Kendrick Bourne and tight end Hunter Henry currently lead the team in receiving, and the team has even leaned on rookie sixth-round pick Demario Douglas for a chunk of snaps.

In other words, the Patriots’ current crop of receiving options haven’t done anything to separate themselves from the pack. The Patriots will likely continue to roll with their committee approach, but there’s at least an opportunity for Thornton to establish himself as the WR1.

The Patriots’ receiving room will be shorthanded to begin the season. Tyquan Thornton is headed to injured reserve, reports ESPN’S Jeremy Fowler.

As a result of the move, Thornton will be sidelined for at least the first four games of the campaign. The 2022 second-rounder is dealing with a shoulder injury, and the timing of the ailment made him a logical candidate to be given the IR designation after the team’s initial 53-man roster was set.

Free agent signing JuJu Smith-Schuster is set to headline New England’s WR room this season, one which also features returnees DeVante Parker and Kendrick Bourne. The latter struggled in his second Patriots campaign last season, but outside trade interest was shut down. The team’s top three on the receiver depth chart will thus be intact to start the year, one in which signficant improvement in the passing game is expected.

Thornton has likewise been tapped for a step forward in his second NFL season. The Baylor product recorded 247 yards and a pair of touchdowns on 22 receptions as a rookie. With a veteran trio ahead of him in the pecking order, he may not be able replicate the 66% snap share he logged last year upon return, but playing time should be available given the lack of star power in New England’s pass-catching corps.

When healthy, Thornton will be able to provide the Patriots with a deep threat on offense, something which would go a long way in helping the unit become more efficient and earn him a larger role moving forward. The 23-year-old was limited to 13 games last season, however, so missed time once again will add to the urgency he faces to establish himself as a dependable contributor when he is cleared to return.