Succumbing to an injury in training camp and missing the start of the regular season is a tough blow for any player. Having that happen as a rookie who needs every rep possible to acclimate to the NFL is even more brutal.
In Patriots second-round pick Tyquan Thornton's case, landing on injured reserve to start the season cut a very strong first impression short and halted the momentum he was building toward earning an offensive role in his first season.
Thornton was diagnosed with a collarbone fracture following the Patriots' second preseason game against the Carolina Panthers and must miss at least the first four games of the 2022 season. Early reports suggest he could return around Halloween if all goes well.
When he does make it back to the field, he'll have to play catch-up pretty aggressively if he wants to help the Patriots this year.
But wide receivers coach Ross Douglas is still bullish on Thornton's chances to re-introduce himself well.
"One thing about Tyquan: he really, really loves football," Douglas said during assistant coach media availabilities on Tuesday. "That's the number one thing. When you're just around him, you feel the energy. He loves football and he wants to be really good.
"He's doing a great job with our strength staff and our recovery staff. Ever since he's been here, he's been bought in. He did a good job picking up the playbook, being able to play a lot of different spots and learning from the vets that we have in our room. I expect nothing less for when he comes back. He's injured, but it's not like he can't get better in this time while he's off. He has to control what he can control…he'll be alright."
Thornton, of course, won't have magically bulked up to 220 pounds by the time he's ready to return to practice, which might lead the Patriots to be cautious with how much they play him this season given his injury.
But there's no doubt New England's offense could use his explosive speed, which remains one of the true game-breaking attributes anywhere to be found on this offense.
Even if Thornton ends up on a pitch count -- assuming the Patriots don't shut him down for good anyway -- he's already proven he can make the most of limited opportunities and earn more at the NFL level. It would be encouraging to see him get a chance to do so again around mid-season.
