FOXBORO — For most of the season, Josh Boyce has been asked to be someone else.

During practice in Week 8, the rookie wide receiver happened to simulate Mike Wallace. Two weeks ago, he helped play the part of Wes Welker. His role on the Patriots scout team isn’t one that will garner headlines, but it is a vital one for any team.

Last week against the Houston Texans, Boyce finally got to be himself. The 22-year-old made just one catch — a 6-yard gain for a first down — but made his mark in the return game. His 41-yard kickoff return in the first quarter was the longest for the Patriots this season and his 149 total yards was the most by any Patriots returner in a game this year.

With a foot injury keeping Aaron Dobson on the sideline and a hip ailment slowing Kenbrell Thompkins, Boyce could see more playing time this weekend against the Cleveland Browns. The fourth-round pick out of TCU said he’s ready for anything, whether it’s on the scout team or on the field Sunday.

“I feel good,” Boyce said. “I’ve been practicing hard, studying, asking the quarterbacks what I could do better and this and that. So I’ve been taking it all in. I know a lot now. I still have got a lot to learn, but I’m doing good.”

Boyce is arguably the fastest member of the Patriots. At the combine in February, he ran a 4.38 40-yard dash with a broken toe. That same toe limited him this summer and has forced him to play catchup since.

Before last weekend, he had a tough time showing off that speed. Boyce has been a healthy scratch five times and in the seven games played, he’s seen 80 offensive snaps and been targeted seven times.

But it’s been his work ethic behind closed doors that has impressed the coaching staff.

“Josh Boyce has worked hard since we drafted him, and he has done a nice job of trying to learn our system and be ready to go each week,” offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels said this week. “He hasn’t had very many opportunities, but that certainly hasn’t affected his attitude or work ethic. I think he is a perfect example of a younger player who has the right approach. He has really given the defense a good look multiple weeks during the course of the season.

“I’m really happy to have him on our team and we know that we need everybody coming down the stretch, and he certainly will have a chance to impact the team even more going forward.”

Boyce said he’ll continue to do whatever the coaches ask. Whether it is to return kicks, catch passes or simulate an opponent in practice, he’s all in.

“Just keep working,” Boyce said. “Working hard in practice. Let the coaches see I’m working and then see what happens from there.”