Patriots-Texans Inactives: New England Wideout Benched For Drake Maye Debut

FOXBORO, Mass. — Patriots wide receiver Tyquan Thornton is inactive for New England’s game against the Houston Texans at Gillette Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Thornton, who started at receiver and played 58% of snaps in Week 1, saw his playing time consistently decrease throughout the first five weeks. It marks the first time this season Thornton is a healthy scratch with DeMario Douglas, Ja’Lynn Polk, Kendrick Bourne, Kayshon Boutte and K.J. Osborn all active. The 2022 second-round pick has two receptions for 27 yards on the campaign.

Patriots rookie wideout Javon Baker is a healthy scratch for the third time this season.

Layden Robinson is inactive for a second consecutive week. Robinson started the first four games at right guard for the Patriots before Mike Onwenu started at the position in Week 5.

On the opposite side of the ball, safety Kyle Dugger returns for the defense. Dugger was listed as questionable due to an ankle injury, which kept him out of New England’s Week 5 loss to the Miami Dolphins as well as Wednesday’s practice.

Patriots linebacker Sione Takitaki, who was elevated to the 53-man roster Saturday, will make his season debut. Takitaki started the season on the reserve/physically unable to perform list due to a knee injury. He signed a two-year contract with New England during the offseason.

Texans running back Joe Mixon is active after he was questionable due to an ankle injury.

Isaiah Bolden (hamstring), Kendrick Bourne (knee), Dugger (ankle), Anfernee Jennings (shoulder), Marcus Jones (groin), Nick Leverett (ankle), Osborn (shoulder), Takitaki (knee) and Marco Wilson (groin) all were listed as questionable entering the contest. All are active against the Texans.

Here are the Patriots inactives:
WR Javon Baker
WR Tyquan Thornton
QB Joe Milton III
RB Rhamondre Stevenson
LS Joe Cardona
G Layden Robinson
DT Eric Johnson

And the Texans inactives:
CB Kamari Lassiter
S Jimmie Ward
WR Robert Woods
G Nick Broeker
DE Rashad Weaver

Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. ET.