5 Patriots Most Likely to Be Inactive vs. Saints in Week 5

The New England Patriots left a lot of fans disappointed with a 38-3 blowout loss to the Dallas Cowboys in Week 4. Still, there isn't much time to dwell on the embarrassing defeat as the Pats have a Week 5 date with the New Orleans Saints on the horizon.

A loss this weekend would drop the Patriots to 1-4, which is something we can't afford if the playoffs are a goal. Bill Belichick and his coaching staff must put the best lineup forward, meaning some players will be deemed inactive for the greater good.

Here are five Patriots who'll most likely be inactive against the Saints in Week 5.

5 Probably Patriots Inactive vs. Saints in Week 5

1. Kayshon Boutte

There appear to be three guarantees in life: Death, taxes, and Kayshon Boutte being inactive for the Patriots.

Boutte has grown familiar with watching his teammates from the sidelines, having not played since his NFL debut in Week 1. He failed to catch any of the four passes thrown his way across 55 offensive snaps, landing himself on Belichick's bad side — a place where no player, let alone a rookie, wants to be.

While some of the 21-year-old's supporters hope to see him get another shot in Week 5, I wouldn't count on it. Patriots beat writer Ben Belford-Peltzman reported on Wednesday that fellow WR Tyquan Thornton is back at practice and that there's "optimism" regarding his chances of facing the Saints.

Thornton is a speedy threat who caught 22 balls for 247 yards and two touchdowns as a rookie in 2022. He's more familiar with Belichick and his coaching staff, meaning he'll likely get priority to play over Boutte if he's healthy enough.

Assuming Thornton doesn't suffer any setbacks and the rest of the WR room stays healthy, I see Boutte sitting for the fourth straight week.