After playing over 80 percent of offensive snaps last year at LSU, Kayshon Boutte has had a rollercoaster season thus far.
“It’s been difficult. Coming from college and playing every game,” Boutte said. “Just that translating to the NFL. Playing Week 1, unfortunately, things happened the way they [did]—just a learning experience.
The sixth-rounder hasn’t been inactive since Week 1, where he couldn’t record a catch and was targeted four times. Boutte had a significant role against the Eagles in Week 1, tallying 55 of the Patriot’s 80 offensive snaps. However, Boutte failed to keep his feet in bounds in a potentially game-winning catch on fourth-down and has been in the infamous Belichick doghouse ever since.
The rookie has been inactive for six of the seven games following Week 1, which has left many Patriots fans confused. However, with the Patriots-wide Receiver group suffering many injuries, the door has been opened again for Boutte to showcase his skills with the Patriots.
Last week, veteran wideout Kendrick Bourne tore his ACL, and with DeVante Parker battling a head injury and JuJu Smith-Schuster not 100%, Boutte isn’t letting this opportunity pass again.
“Practice makes preparation,” he told the media on Thursday. “How you practice is how you play. I feel like practice reps, the plays we do translate to the game. It is the game plan.”
When asked about the injuries in the Patriots’ locker room, Boutte explained that it’s part of the game and there’s always a next-man-up mentality.
“It’s been a big week. Injuries happen in and out throughout the NFL. That’s part of the game. It’s unfortunate, but it’s part of the game,” he said. “So, he preached to us about us having to step up.”
Quarterback Mac Jones spoke on the importance of stepping up on his weekly WEEI radio segment earlier in the week.
“Want them to take advantage of the opportunity,” Jones said. “I’ve seen Boutte play, you know, in college and worked with him early in training camp and in the first game and stuff, and I have a lot of confidence in him.”
From the looks of it, it sounds like Boutte will be active on Sunday. As Bill Belichick told the media on Friday, it’s been Kayshon’s “best” week of practice of the season. What does a good week in practice look like?
“Performance, consistency, assignments, production,” Belichick said. “I mean, practice is practice, but there are opportunities out there for everybody. You either take advantage of them or don’t take advantage of them.”
The Patriots’ Receiver depth chart should see the likes of young, unproven players like Jalen Reagor, Tyquan Thornton, and Kayshon Boutte against the Commanders. Joining them will be Demario Douglas and JuJu Smith-Schuster.
The Patriots will kick-off against the Commanders at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday November 5th.
My name is Ben Belford-Peltzman and I am the creator and writer of The Patriots Beat. I am a 17-year kid who is an optimistic pessimist about the City of Champions. I started The Patriots Beat in August of 2022 and never expected to grow so much but here we are. Feel free to email Thepatriotsbeat@gmail.com with any inquires.
