Patriots rookie cornerback suffers a serious injury in the fourth quarter
The preseason game between the New England Patriots and the Green Bay Packers on Saturday night was cut short after a scary injury to Patriots rookie cornerback Isaiah Bolden. Bolden, a seventh-round pick from Jackson State, was hit in the head by his own teammate, linebacker Calvin Munson, while trying to tackle Packers receiver Malik Heath. Bolden lay motionless on the ground for several minutes as medical personnel rushed to his aid. Both teams gathered on the field and some players knelt in prayer. Bolden was eventually placed on a backboard and onto a stretcher and carted off the field.
Coaches agree to suspend the game with 10:29 left in the fourth quarter
After Bolden left the field, Patriots coach Bill Belichick and Packers coach Matt LaFleur huddled with the officials and decided to suspend the game with 10:29 left in the fourth quarter. The Patriots were leading 21-17 at the time. The teams announced that the game was suspended “upon mutual agreement of the teams”. The NFL also issued a statement saying that “the health and safety of our players is our highest priority”. The league added that it will review the incident and provide an update on Bolden’s condition as soon as possible.
Patriots say Bolden has feeling in all his extremities
The Patriots said after the game that Bolden had feeling in all his extremities, but had been taken to a local hospital for further tests and observation. Belichick said that he was “just keeping our fingers crossed” for Bolden’s recovery. He also praised Bolden’s performance in the preseason, saying that he had “done a good job” and had “shown a lot of improvement”. Belichick said that he hoped that Bolden would be able to resume his career soon.
Game highlights before Bolden’s injury
Before Bolden’s injury, the game featured some notable performances from both teams. For the Patriots, rookie quarterback Mac Jones made his first appearance of the preseason and completed 6 of 9 passes for 52 yards and a touchdown. He led an 18-yard touchdown drive after a Packers turnover in the first quarter. Jones did not play last week when the Patriots opened the preseason with a 20-9 loss to the Houston Texans. Another rookie quarterback, Bailey Zappe, took over for Jones and threw a 40-yard touchdown pass to Kayshon Boutte in the third quarter. Zappe also scored on a 6-yard touchdown run on a fourth-and-2 play at the end of the third quarter.
For the Packers, Jordan Love threw a 19-yard touchdown pass to rookie second-round pick Jayden Reed on his third and final series of the game. Love went 5 of 8 for 83 yards and also had two carries for 11 yards as he continues preparing for his first season as a starter following the trade of four-time MVP quarterback Aaron Rodgers to the New York Jets. Kingsley Enagbare, who is expected to start at outside linebacker if Rashan Gary is not ready for the season opener, sacked Jones twice and forced a fumble that he recovered to set up the Packers’ second touchdown. Anders Carlson kicked a 52-yard field goal with one second left in the first half.
