Patriots at Packers Game Ends Early After Scary Isaiah Bolden Injury
The final scoreboard reads that the New England Patriots won Saturday's preseason matchup with the Green Bay Packers 21-17, but no one is concerned with the final score.
Early in the fourth quarter, Patriots rookie cornerback Isaiah Bolden took a scary hit to the head while attempting to tackle a Packers receiver. Bolden remained down on the field motionless for several minutes as Patriots players surrounded their injured teammate, while the Packers looked on from the other side of the field. As Bolden was stretchered off the field, game officials announced that the rest the contest would not be continued.
The situation was frighteningly similar to that of Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin in January. Hamlin suffered cardiac arrest in the first quarter of the Bills' game against the Cincinnati Bengals, which also caused the game to be called off.
Bolden was a seventh-round pick out of Jackson State by the Patriots in April's draft, being the only player from an HBCU taken this year. Prior to his injury, Bolden had three total tackles (two solo) and one kick return for 22 yards in the game.
Quarterback Bailey Zappe led the Patriots in passing, completing 10 of 22 attempts for 117 yards and a touchdown. Starter Mac Jones also saw brief action, completing six of nine passes for 52 yards. Zappe and running back Rhamondre Stevenson both scored rushing touchdowns, while Zappe hit rookie receiver Kayshon Boutte for a 42-yard passing score in the second quarter.
On the Packers side, rookie quarterback Sean Clifford completed 13 of 19 attempts for 137 yards. Starter Jordan Love completed five of eight passes for 84 yards and a touchdown, connecting with rookie receiver Jayden Reed from 19 yards out. Green Bay running back Patrick Taylor scored the Packers' lone rushing touchdown.
The Patriots will wrap up preseason play with a road matchup against the Tennessee Titans on Friday.
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