It’s been seven weeks since Patriots rookie receiver Kayshon Boutte saw game action.

That streak should end Sunday.

With Kendrick Bourne lost for the season to a torn ACL and DeVante Parker still sidelined by a concussion, it’s expected Boutte will be active against the Commanders. The sixth-round rookie out of LSU has been a healthy scratch ever since Week 1, when he earned four targets but didn’t catch a pass.

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Boutte failed to drag a second foot inbounds on his last target, a fourth-down incompletion deep inside Eagles territory that effectively sealed a 25-20 loss.

“(O’Brien) kind of preached to us about us having to step up,” Boutte told reporters Thursday. “You know, being out since the first week, coming in with huge expectations, (I) just approach this week harder than ever.”

Boutte said he’s maintained his confidence in practice. Entering the 2022 college season, he was a projected first-round pick, but injuries and concerns over his willingness to be coached caused his draft stock to fall. Boutte also tested poorly at the NFL combine, but made the Patriots’ roster outright after a strong preseason.

Since then, Boutte has fallen behind players like practice-squad alum Jalen Reagor and fellow rookie Demario Douglas on the depth chart. He’s also swapped places with veteran JuJu Smith-Schuster, whom he played over at the end of the season opener.

“It’s been difficult, you know, coming from college playing every game to the NFL and playing Week 1. Unfortunately things happened the way they did, but it’s part of the game, and it’s just a learning experience,” Boutte said. “It’s been seven weeks, now my name’s being called. So, (I) just gotta step up.”

The 21-year-old sounds ready to remind outsiders of his talents on Sunday, after learning one thing about himself from the last two months on the bench.

“Even though things (are) not going my way, (I was) just being there for my teammates,” Boutte said. “Going to games, supporting them, showing them that even when things aren’t on me, I’m still able to be there for them.”