FOXBORO — The Patriots have both one of the worst wide receiver corps in the NFL and an excess of players.

With seven wide receivers on the roster, two players will typically be inactive for gameday, and it’s rare to see more than four of the pass-catchers see substantial playing time.

“These guys are on the roster right now. We’re always, again, looking to get better and that may be addition through subtraction,” Mayo said Wednesday of the receivers. “I don’t know what group it is, but we’re always looking to get better.”

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Slot receiver DeMario Douglas leads the group with 35 catches on 48 targets for 306 yards with a touchdown. Kayshon Boutte, like Douglas, a 2023 sixth-round pick, is next with 203 yards on 13 catches and 22 targets. The rest of the group, rookie Ja’Lynn Polk (10 catches on 27 targets for 78 yards), veteran Kendrick Bourne (eight catches on 14 targets for 70 yards), veteran K.J. Osborn (seven catches on 17 targets for 57 yards) and 2022 second-round pick Tyquan Thornton (four catches on eight targets for 47 yards), have yet to reach the century mark this season. Rookie fourth-round pick Javon Baker has yet to make his first NFL catch on 10 total offensive snaps.

“I think it’s just competing,” Bourne said when asked about the logjam at the position. “It’s a competition at all times. The league is a competition. So, we’re not only competing against other teams. We’re competing against each other in the room. So, if we can have a healthy competitive room in nature, I think it brings out the best. So, if you’re not playing and you want to be on the field then just work harder. And that’s what it takes. So, just competing and putting your best foot forward every play.”

Bourne, Osborn and Thornton had been mentioned in trade rumors over the last few weeks, but the NFL’s trade deadline passed Tuesday at 4 p.m. ET without the Patriots dealing a wideout.

“It feels good, you know, that I’m here and this is where they want me. So, kind of a connection between us. Just now I can really focus. You’re always focused, but for it to be gone, it feels good.”

Osborn added, “I’m doing good. At this point, I’m here right now and excited to be here and looking forward to Sunday.”

Osborn started the Patriots’ first four games but didn’t appear in Weeks 5, 6 or 9. He’s played just 31 offensive snaps since Week 4, and he’s been on the field for just 202 snaps all season.

“It’s different,” Osborn said of not knowing whether he’s going to be active week to week. “I think that’s just kind of part of the business. Everybody kind of does it different in different places, but we’re professional, so just got to prepare for Sunday, each and every one of us.”

Osborn was asked at what point in the week he finds out if he’s going to play that week.

“It’s not really something I’ve kind of dealt with before, so I kind of really don’t know how that works myself,” Osborn said. “So I’m kind of learning too.”

Cornerback Alex Austin was designated to return from injured reserve last week but has yet to be added to the 53-man roster. And at some point, the Patriots might be able to activate offensive linemen Caedan Wallace and Cole Strange and defensive tackle Christian Barmore off of reserve lists. The Patriots will need to open spots on the roster to make room for those players, they clearly don’t need seven wide receivers, and the trade deadline has passed.

Barring injury, Osborn or Thornton would appear to be cut candidates if something doesn’t change.