New England Patriots rookie wide receiver Efton Chism III made a strong impression during the preseason, recording 12 receptions for 121 yards and two touchdowns. However, he has not played in a regular-season game this year.

Chism has sat out as a healthy scratch for the first three games, and head coach Mike Vrabel addressed the reason for Chism’s inactivity.

“Just my decision each and every week,” Vrabel said Wednesday, via Alex Barth. “We can only get five (receivers) right now, we’re only taking five. That can change each week. He’s been working hard in practice. We’ll evaluate that each week, what his role could be and how he could help us.”

While it’s probably frustrating for Chism not to have seen the field yet this season, he has worked his way up from joining the team as an undrafted free agent this summer to earning a spot on the 53-man roster.

Chism played at Eastern Washington for five years, recording 346 receptions, 3,852 yards and 37 touchdowns in 53 games.

Eastern Washington head coach Aaron Best compared Chism to Seattle Seahawks receiver Cooper Kupp.

Story continues below advertisement

Chism may get an opportunity with New England soon if wide receiver DeMario Douglas continues to underperform.