The Patriots have released Boyce.

The 2013 fourth-rounder figures to resurface in short order, but after a 2014 season in which he suited up in just one regular season game, without recording a catch, he's well off the fantasy radar.

Boyce caught just 2-of-11 targets for 19 yards in Thursday's preseason opener against the Packers, the Boston Herald reports.

Boyce -- who saw added opportunities Thursday with several of the Patriots' other wideouts sidelined -- also whiffed on a pass that was intercepted. While his chances of making the team are not totally sunk, he didn't help his cause with Thursday's effort and now has some ground to make up on that front.

With several of his fellow wideouts banged up, Boyce has been seeing added training camp reps, ESPN.com reports.

With Julian Edelman, Brandon LaFell and Aaron Dobson currently dinged up, Boyce has been seeing his share of practice reps, which can only help the cause of the 2013 fourth-rounder, who is looking to secure a depth wideout spot after spending the bulk of the 2014 season on the Patriots' practice squad.

The Patriots signed Boyce on Saturday, ESPN's Field Yates reports.

Boyce's addition to the roster implies that the Patriots might sit Julian Edelman (concussion/thigh) against the Bills in the regular season finale. Even if he sees snaps Sunday, Boyce is difficult to trust in fantasy given that he was just on the practice squad and hasn't produced in the NFL.

Boyce has been added to the Patriots' practice squad, ESPN's Mike Reiss reports.

The 2013 fourth-rounder is thus an injury away from potentially re-joining the Patriots' wideout mix after not being included on the team's 53-man roster heading into Week 1.

Boyce has been waived by the Patriots, ESPN's Mike Reiss reports.

Boyce needed a break or two to stick with the Patriots, but the team's depth at wideout cost him a spot on the team's 53-man roster. The 2013 fourth-rounder is a candidate to land on the Patriots' practice squad, but he'd need to clear waivers first for that scenario to transpire.

Boyce was on the field for 23-of-72 snaps on offense in Friday's preseason game against the Panthers.

Boyce, who didn't play until there was 1:26 left in the third quarter, did not catch a pass in the game, with his spot on the Patriots' 53-man roster no lock at this stage.

Boyce caught two passes for 31 yards on three targets in Friday's preseason game against the Eagles.

While he has excellent speed and could perhaps enter the mix for snaps at some point, Boyce didn't do much to encourage prospective fantasy owners Friday, as he was largely used in the second half, and his most notable play was a holding call that brought back a touchdown. Given the stiff competition at wide receiver, Boyce may be in danger of losing his roster spot, and is only on the radar in the deepest of leagues.

The Boston Globe's Erik Frenz does not project Patriots WR Josh Boyce to make the team.

A fourth-round pick in 2013, Boyce is competing with fellow second-year WR Kenbrell Thompkins for the No. 5 receiver job in New England. Thompkins was more involved in the offense last season -- out-snapping Boyce 589 to 182 -- and has reportedly looked better during spring practices. Boyce needs to show his worth on special teams during training camp to keep his job.

The Boston Globe reports that "it looks like" Josh Boyce and Kenbrell Thompkins may be competing for the No. 5 receiver spot in 2014.

The Patriots appear set one through four with Julian Edelman, Aaron Dobson, Danny Amendola, and Brandon LaFell. Boyce and Thompkins combined to catch 41 passes for 587 yards and four touchdowns as rookies, with Thompkins doing the vast majority of that damage. New England also still has its eyes on veteran wideouts. After the passing game struggled for stretches in 2013, the Patriots are looking to stockpile at receiver and create competition.

Patriots placed WR Josh Boyce on injured reserve with an ankle injury, ending his season.

Boyce hadn't practiced since going down in Week 15. The extent of his injury is unclear, but it's almost certainly a high-ankle sprain. Boyce would have already been placed on injured reserve had he suffered a break. The No. 102 pick of last spring's draft, Boyce caught just nine passes in nine games this season. He was passed on the depth chart by undrafted free agent Kenbrell Thompkins in training camp. He'll be behind Thompkins and Aaron Dobson on the "X" receiver depth chart to begin 2014.

Josh Boyce (ankle) did not practice Wednesday.

Boyce hasn't practiced since injuring his ankle in Week 15 against the Dolphins. With Aaron Dobson (foot) also sidelined, Kenbrell Thompkins is taking first-team reps at X-receiver this week.

Josh Boyce (ankle) has been ruled out for Week 17.

Look for Aaron Dobson to man X receiver against Buffalo.

Josh Boyce (ankle) remained sidelined at Friday's practice.

Kenbrell Thompkins and Aaron Dobson will handle X receiver duties this week.

Josh Boyce (ankle) remained out of practice Thursday.

Boyce is behind Aaron Dobson and Kenbrell Thompkins at the X spot anyway.

Josh Boyce (ankle) is not practicing Tuesday.

Boyce missed last week's game with an ankle injury and has yet to be cleared to practice. Aaron Dobson will likely start at X-receiver again in Week 17.

Josh Boyce (ankle) is listed as out for Week 16.

Kenbrell Thompkins (hip) and Aaron Dobson (foot) are the Patriots' candidates to play X receiver against Baltimore, though both are listed as questionable.

Josh Boyce (ankle) remained sidelined at practice Friday.

Boyce isn't going to play this week after not practicing at all. Kenbrell Thompkins and Aaron Dobson will handle X receiver duties, though we don't have much of an idea who will play the most snaps. Stay away from both Sunday.

Josh Boyce (ankle) is not practicing again Thursday.

Boyce appears very doubtful for Sunday's game against the Ravens. Meanwhile, Kenbrell Thompkins (hip) and Aaron Dobson (ankle) are both practicing. Predicting which one of those two will get the X reps is nearly impossible, making this a "hands off" situation in fantasy's Super Bowl week.

Josh Boyce (undisclosed) is not practicing Wednesday.

Boyce left the Week 15 loss at Miami early and was spotted limping around afterward. Meanwhile, Kenbrell Thompkins (hip) and Aaron Dobson (foot) are both practicing. The "X" spot in New England continues to be a mystery from week to week.