The Patriots and Packers suspended play with 10:29 left in Saturday’s preseason recreation after Pats rookie cornerback Isaiah Bolden was carted off of the sector on a backboard.
“Patriots cornerback Isaiah Bolden sustained an injury during the fourth quarter of tonight’s game,” the staff introduced. “He had feeling in all his extremities, but has been taken to a local hospital for further tests and observation.”
Bolden was injured after taking successful from teammate Calvin Munson on a 7-yard catch by Packers rookie receiver Malik Heath whereas Bolden was in protection and Munson was coming over from linebacker to make the deal with.
Head official John Hussey introduced, “Ladies and gentlemen, at the agreement of both head coaches and team leadership, we have elected to suspend play for the evening. The game is officially over. Thank you.”
That got here after Patriots head coach Bill Belichick and special-teams captain Matthew Slater and Packers head coach Matt LaFleur had met at midfield.
“We’re all saying a prayer for Isaiah. … We appreciated the way the league handled it,” Belichick stated after the sport. “We think that was the right thing to do.”
Bolden was proven on the tv broadcast laying immobile after taking the hit on pleasant hearth. Patriots broadcasters Bob Socci and Scott Zolak stated they noticed motion from Bolden earlier than he was taken off on a cart strapped to a backboard. The Patriots’ total staff got here out for a midfield prayer.
“I think our primary concern is Isaiah, his well-being,” Slater stated after the sport. “Our entire team is praying for him and hoping things aren’t as serious as they seem.”
“I really appreciate what Coach Belichick did tonight,” Slater added. “He took the initiative on (suspending play). … That was one of the proudest moments I’ve had as a guy who’s played for him for now 16 years.”
The Patriots led 21-17 earlier than play was suspended. There had been encouraging indicators from gamers who will doubtless make an influence for the Patriots throughout the 2023 season. And the Patriots must hope that the return of key offensive starters will remedy a few of the points the staff confronted early within the exhibition recreation.
Quarterback Mac Jones began Saturday’s recreation and regarded comfy beneath new offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien’s playcalling. He accomplished 6-of-9 passes for 52 yards and led one scoring drive off of an unforced turnover by the Packers.
Center Josh Myers snapped the ball over Packers quarterback Jordan Love’s proper shoulder, and the ball wound up in outdoors linebacker Josh Uche’s palms 23 yards downfield on the 18-yard line. A false begin pushed the Patriots 5 yards again, however Jones accomplished two passes for 17 yards to Kendrick Bourne. After Jones scrambled to the 1-yard line, working again Rhamondre Stevenson pounded ahead for the primary landing of the night time.
Miscues from younger offensive linemen stalled the Patriots’ subsequent two offensive drives. Rookie proper deal with Sidy Sow pressured the Patriots to punt by permitting a sack on third-and-9. After the Packers scored a landing on a completion from Love to rookie extensive receiver Jayden Reed, the Patriots turned the ball over on their ensuing drive when Andrew Stueber changed Brown at left deal with and let up a strip sack. Before that, nevertheless Jones zeroed in on rookie extensive receiver Demario Douglas for 2 catches on two targets for 17 yards. He additionally accomplished a formidable 17-yard cross to Bourne off his again foot whereas dealing with stress.
That was all for Jones, who gave technique to backup quarterback Bailey Zappe.
The Patriots’ run protection — Uche and defensive deal with Lawrence Guy, specifically — struggled towards backup Packers working again Emanuel Wilson and let up a landing on their second consecutive collection.
Zappe accomplished 10-of-22 passes for 117 yards and hit rookie extensive receiver Kayshon Boutte for a 42-yard catch-and-run on a slant route. Boutte had a sluggish begin to coaching camp however has been making a tough push for a roster spot over the previous two weeks. Boutte additionally scored a landing in Thursday’s joint observe between the Patriots and Packers and drew a defensive cross interference penalty previous to his rating.
The Packers completed off the primary half with a go-ahead subject purpose after a Patriots interception was known as again when rookie cornerback Christian Gonzalez was flagged for cross interference.
Zappe and the Patriots’ offense responded late within the third quarter when the backup quarterback scrambled for a 6-yard go-ahead landing when head coach Bill Belichick elected to go for it on 4-and-2 within the purple zone.
Best
QB Mac Jones: The Patriots stalled offensively when Jones was on the sector due to the offensive line, not something the QB was doing. Jones truly maneuvered the pocket fairly effectively and confirmed some shiftiness on a 4-yard scramble contained in the purple zone.
RB Rhamondre Stevenson: The Patriots ought to shelve Stevenson after Saturday’s displaying, when he regarded like himself on a 23-yard carry and goal-line landing carry.
WR Kayshon Boutte: The sixth-round decide isn’t the most important or quickest extensive receiver, however he merely makes performs. He led the Patriots with 49 yards on two catches and two targets whereas additionally drawing a DPI.
Worst
OT Sidy Sow: It’s nonetheless unclear who will begin at proper deal with for the Patriots. Sow began Saturday however let up a key sack on third down. Riley Reiff is taking part in proper guard, Calvin Anderson is on the non-football sickness listing and Conor McDermott sat out Saturday with an harm. It’s a serious query proper now.
OT Andrew Stueber: Stueber is competing for a backup offensive line job in a banged up group. He allowed a strip sack Saturday.
DT Lawrence Guy: Guy was pushed round by rookie tight finish Luke Musgrave on a protracted first-half run. Guy was additionally changed by Christian Barmore and Davon Godchaux within the begin protection. He sat out of minicamp.
Source: www.bostonherald.com