Thompkins started over Brandon LaFell in Friday's preseason game against the Eagles, the Boston Herald's Jeff Howe reports.

Thompkins turned in a strong performance, catching three passes for 32 yards and a touchdown on four targets. Reports out of training camp have also been positive, but the Patriots have quite a crowd at wide receiver, with Thompkins joined by Julian Edelman, Danny Amendola, Brandon LaFell, Aaron Dobson (foot) and Josh Boyce. With Edelman, Rob Gronkowski and Shane Vereen all locked into major roles in the passing game, there are a lot of players left to fight for not so many targets. Dobson, who didn't play Friday, has both a second-round pedigree and a higher ceiling than Thompkins.

ESPN Boston's Mike Reiss considers Kenbrell Thompkins a "near lock" for the final roster.

Reiss believes the Patriots will end up keeping both Thompkins and Josh Boyce, giving them six wideouts on the 53-man roster. Thompkins will just be insurance on the outside just in case Aaron Dobson can't get over his foot injury or fails to take a step forward. He's not on the re-draft radar right now.

ESPN Boston believes if the season started today, Kenbrell Thompkins would be a starting receiver for the Patriots.

Part of it has to do with Aaron Dobson (foot) not being healthy, but Thompkins made a strong impression this spring and would occupy the X receiver spot opposite Julian Edelman if it was Week 1. Dobson is expected to be ready for the first day of camp. He remains the favorite to start the opener, but Thompkins appears to have a firm grip on a roster spot at the moment.

The Boston Globe observes that second-year WR Kenbrell Thompkins was "sometimes dominant" during OTAs.

Thompkins "got the better of" new CB Brandon Browner "several times" in the non-contact practices. Thompkins and fellow second-year WR Josh Boyce are believed to be fighting for one roster spot. Julian Edelman, Danny Amendola, Aaron Dobson, and Brandon LaFell are heavy favorites to fill the top four receiver spots. Thompkins battled drops and mental miscues as a rookie, but flashed big-time ability. Dobson, Amendola, and Edelman are all injury-prone.

The Boston Herald believes Kenbrell Thompkins and Josh Boyce could be competing for the same roster spot.

The Boston Globe suggested the same thing earlier this week. Thompkins flashed big-time raw ability as a rookie, but also struggled with drops and mental mistakes. He was a healthy scratch in Week 9, and dealt with hip and head injuries down the stretch. He caught only nine passes after Week 7. Were Thompkins to get squeezed off the roster in New England, he'd have teams lining up to give him a second chance.

Kenbrell Thompkins (concussion) is inactive for Sunday's AFC Championship game versus Denver.

Thompkins was concussed last week against the Colts and was listed as questionable after being limited in practice. The good news for New England is that Aaron Dobson (foot) is back in the lineup after aggravating his injury in Week 17. He'll handle X receiver duties. Also inactive for the Patriots are DL Isaac Sopoaga, CB Justin Green, OL Chris Barker, TE D.J. Williams, DL Jake Bequette, and LB Steve Beauharnais. P Ryan Allen (shoulder) is active.

Kenbrell Thompkins (concussion) is listed as questionable for Sunday's AFC Championship game.

The same is true for Aaron Dobson (foot). Thompkins was concussed in last Saturday's win over the Colts and remains in the league's protocol. We like Dobson's chances of suiting up against the Broncos a little bit better, but there's really no telling with the Patriots.

Kenbrell Thompkins (concussion) remained limited in Thursday's practice.

Thompkins is in the league's concussion protocol and has yet to be cleared for full activity. Aaron Dobson (foot) also remained limited in Thursday's practice and is up in the air for Sunday's AFC Championship Game.

Kenbrell Thompkins has been officially diagnosed with a concussion, and was limited in Wednesday's practice.

The Pats had maintained radio silence on Thompkins' status since he departed Saturday's Divisional Round win. The fact that Thompkins is already "limited" suggests the Pats believe he'll be cleared for the AFC Championship Game, but practice designations are wholly meaningless in New England. We might not know Thompkins' status until game time. Fellow "X" receiver Aaron Dobson (foot) returned to practice on Wednesday, getting in a limited session.

Kenbrell Thompkins was forced from the Patriots' Divisional Round win over the Colts in the third quarter with a head injury, and did not return.

Thompkins got shaken up on an incomplete pass. His status is uncertain. Thompkins has suffered no known concussions as a pro. He entered the game nursing a hip injury. With the Patriots going run heavy, Thompkins had yet to make a catch on three targets before going down. He should be considered highly questionable for next Sunday's AFC Championship Game. With Aaron Dobson (foot) ailing, losing Thompkins would leave New England extremely thin on the perimeter.

Kenbrell Thompkins (hip) is active for the Divisional Round against the Colts.

Thompkins was listed as questionable, but was active for Week 17. With Josh Boyce on injured reserve and Aaron Dobson inactive, Thompkins will be the Patriots' starting "X" receiver. A big-play threat with bad hands, Thompkins is a boom-or-bust option in daily leagues.

Kenbrell Thompkins (hip) is listed as questionable for the Divisional Round against Indianapolis.

Thompkins practiced on a limited basis each day this week. We expect Thompkins to be active and start at X receiver, lining up across from Colts outside CBs Josh Gordy and Vontae Davis for most of Saturday's offensive snaps.

Kenbrell Thompkins (hip) was limited in Wednesday's practice.

Thompkins returned to the lineup for the Week 17 finale, so he should be all systems go for the Divisional Round tilt against the Colts. With Aaron Dobson (foot) likely to sit out, Thompkins should handle a full workload at X receiver.

Kenbrell Thompkins wasn't targeted in New England's Week 17 win over the Bills.

That's despite the fact that Aaron Dobson (foot) departed in the first quarter. At the end of an uneven first regular season, Thompkins displayed a knack for making big plays en route to a 32/466/4 line, but also committed a number of unseemly drops. All in all, it was an excellent rookie campaign for an undrafted free agent. Thompkins could serve as the Patriots' starting "X" receiver for the postseason if Dobson isn't ready to go.

Kenbrell Thompkins (hip, questionable) was limited in Friday's practice.

Thompkins is routinely listed as limited/questionable, but hasn't played in weeks. His status for Sunday's clash with Buffalo is totally up in the air.

Kenbrell Thompkins (hip) is practicing Tuesday.

Thompkins practiced on a limited basis last week, but ended up missing his third straight game. His status is up in the air for Week 17 against the Bills.

Kenbrell Thompkins (hip, questionable) has been downgraded to out for Week 16.

LT Nate Solder (concussion) has also been officially ruled out. Thompkins will miss his third straight game despite practicing on a limited basis this week. Aaron Dobson (foot, questionable) made the trip to Baltimore and is tentatively expected to start at X receiver.

Kenbrell Thompkins (hip, questionable) was limited in Friday's practice.

His status for Sunday's tilt with Baltimore is unclear. In the event he does play, Thompkins would likely share time with Aaron Dobson at X receiver.

Kenbrell Thompkins (hip) remained limited in Thursday's practice.

It's a worthless designation, as Thompkins was "limited" last week before sitting out against the Dolphins. Thompkins can't be trusted as a WR4/5 for the fantasy finals.

Kenbrell Thompkins (hip) is practicing Wednesday.

Thompkins has been practicing for the better part of the last two weeks, but has been inactive each Sunday. Perhaps he'll dress this week with Josh Boyce (foot) in doubt.