FOXBORO — Patriots offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt has seen a combination of factors holding back rookie wide receiver Ja’Lynn Polk through the first 14 weeks of the season.

Polk is having a historically inefficient season for a wide receiver in the modern era with just 12 catches for 87 yards with two touchdowns through 12 games. He’s averaging just 2.8 yards per target and 0.37 yards per route run while catching just 38.7% of his targets.

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“It’s the transition from the college game to the pro game is never easy for any rookie. That’s part of it,” Van Pelt said. “I think the rookie wall, not having success early, having some drops early kind of set him back a little bit mentally. All lessons for him to fight through and keep pushing. I think he’s going to be a very good player for us. He can continue to work, continue to prove each week.”

Polk should have a bigger opportunity this week against the Cardinals. The Patriots cut veteran wide receiver K.J. Osborn this week, and fellow rookie Javon Baker is currently out of practice with a concussion. Polk is one of just four healthy wide receivers on the roster, joining Kayshon Boutte, Kendrick Bourne and DeMario Douglas.