The runway is clear for Tyquan Thornton, and he is ready for takeoff.
The Patriots’ rookie receiver will be active Sunday against the Detroit Lions for his first NFL game after returning from injured reserve earlier this week. He had been out since the team’s second preseason game against the Carolina Panthers with a fractured clavicle.
Jakobi Meyers also will be back in action after missing two games with a knee injury as will cornerback Jalen Mills (hamstring).
As expected, quarterback Mac Jones will sit another week as he nurses a high ankle sprain. He was limited in practiced this week and had a noticeable limp, but his improvement suggests he could make a stronger push to play against the Browns next weekend. Rookie quarterback Bailey Zappe will start his first NFL game.
On the Detroit side, receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown will suit up for the Lions to help out a less-than-healthy offense that will be missing running back DeAndre Swift and receivers D.J. Chark and Quintez Cephus.
Here's the full list of inactives for both teams: