The Patriots will be without wide receiver Tyquan Thornton for at least four weeks.

The Patriots plan to place Thornton on injured reserve with a shoulder injury, according to a source. Thornton suffered his injury during joint practices with the Packers in Green Bay two weeks ago. He has no participated in practice since landing awkwardly diving for a pass.

The 2022 second-round pick also missed time during the spring and earlier in training camp. He began last season on injured reserve, as well, and caught 22 passes for 247 yards with two touchdowns.

It appeared that rookie wide receiver Demario Douglas had passed Thornton in the team’s wide receiver pecking order before the injury. Thornton was already behind JuJu Smith-Schuster, DeVante Parker and Kendrick Bourne. Rookie Kayshon Boutte also made the 53-man roster.

“Just keep working,” Bourne said about his message to Thornton. “Being where he’s supposed to be. I’m not sure how that’s going, but just motivating him to stay ready.”

ESPN first reported that Thornton would start the season on injured reserve.