FOXBORO — Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo suggested early this week that Ja’Lynn Polk has to get over a mental hurdle to avoid drops that have plagued the rookie wide receiver in recent weeks.

So, does Polk agree that it’s something mental holding him back?

“Just got to be better,” Polk said Wednesday.

Over the last two weeks, Polk has three drops and has caught just two passes for 17 yards on 10 targets. In Week 5, he couldn’t get two feet inside the end zone on a potential game-winning pass from Jacoby Brissett. In Week 6, he had two drops. On the season, he’s caught 10 passes on 23 targets for 78 yards with a touchdown.

“Just having a mindset of trying to be better,” Polk reiterated when asked how he plans to approach getting better.

Polk had the same message when asked what he plans to do in practice this week.

“Just having a mindset of just being better,” Polk said.

The Patriots traded back in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft to select Polk 37th overall. There were long stretches this summer when the University of Washington product looked like the Patriots’ best wide receiver.

Starting rookie quarterback Drake Maye elevated the games of second-year pros DeMario Douglas and Kayshon Boutte on Sunday, but Polk continued to struggle.

During Monday’s video conference call, Mayo implied that Douglas, Boutte and wide receiver Kendrick Bourne were the Patriots’ top three receivers. Polk already saw his playing time reduced in Week 6. If Douglas, Boutte and Bourne are the starters this Sunday in London against the Jaguars, then Polk might see even more time on the bench.

The 6-foot-1, 203-pound wide receiver still brings plenty of upside, and if Douglas, Boutte and Bourne continue to cut into his playing time, it could only be for the short-term.