Patriots DT Dominique Easley (hip) leaves game vs. Steelers

New England Patriots defensive lineman Dominique Easley injured his left hip in Thursday night’s NFL season opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers and did not return.

Easley suffered the injury early in the first quarter and was ruled out for the game shortly after halftime. He was initially deemed questionable to return.

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Listed as a second-team defensive tackle on the Patriots’ depth chart, Easley did not register a tackle before the injury. Geneo Grissom replaced him on New England’s defensive line.

Easley, 23, is in his second NFL season. He appeared in 11 games last season, recording 10 tackles, one sack and one interception. According to ProFootballFocus.com, he played 270 snaps as a reserve for the Patriots.

• Scenes from Steelers vs. Patriots at Gillette Stadium

New England’s first-round draft pick in 2014 out of Florida, Easley sustained ACL tears in both of his knees during college. He also battled injuries last season with the Patriots, landing on injured reserve with a knee injury on Dec. 17.

- Mike Fiammetta