The Patriots are hoping Ja’Lynn Polk can finish his rookie season strong under the guidance of a veteran receiver.

It’s been a tough season for Polk, who was surrounded by high expectations when New England selected him 37th overall last spring. Those predictions didn’t come true, as Polk caught just 12 passes for 87 yards and two touchdowns in his first 11 games.

But Drake Maye and Co. have not lost faith in the 22-year-old and continue to look for ways to motivate him. The most recent tactic was a locker switch that put Polk right next to eighth-year pro Kendrick Bourne.

“It’s like Jacoby (Brissett) is standing next to Drake, the vet and the rookie, and it’s kind of the same thing here,” Bourne told reporters, according to ESPN’s Mike Reiss. “To be close to him, I will continue to encourage him, to treasure him and to breathe life into him. I don’t know if they do it on purpose, but things happen the way they’re supposed to happen.”

Sunday could be a chance for Polk to make a breakthrough, as the visiting Colts rank in the bottom six in the NFL in passing yards allowed per game. And if Polk is eliminated Sunday against Indianapolis, Bourne could have some to thank for it.