FOXBOROUGH, Mass – After being benched for almost the entire first half of the season, New England Patriots rookie receiver was ready to get back on the field. And with injuries hitting a few of the receivers, it seemed this might be his chance. 

However, Bill Belichick decided that he was going to be sidelined once again, listing him as a healthy scratch on the Patriots inactive list. 

And when asked about the decision after New England's loss to the Washington Commanders, Belichick didn't give much away. 

"We activated the players that would put us in the best position to win the game," Belichick said. "We activated the other four receivers. And Mike (Gesicki). Mike's really our fifth receiver."

Belichick praised Boutte on Friday when asked about how the young receiver is taking advantage of his opportunities this season. 

"I think this has probably been his best week, yeah," Belichick said on Friday. "His best week in practice."

However, he was asked why he made these comments despite not playing the receiver during his postgame press conference. And he defended those comments. 

"Because it was. I thought it was," Belichick said. "I thought he had a good week of practice. That's why I said that."

So all signs pointed to him playing, with Kendrick Bourne placed on injured reserve with a torn ACL and DeVante Parker sidelined after sustaining a concussion last weekend. 

And Boutte was ready to go heading into Sunday's matchup. 

“It’s been seven weeks. Now my name is being called. So I’ve just gotta step up."

Boutte played in the Patriots season opener, being targeted four times, but not coming away with any receptions. And he has been waiting for a chance to redeem himself. 

Yet, he will have to wait a little bit longer to get his chance. 

Patriots: Kayshon Boutte is ready to step up

He wants to get back on the field.