20 August 2023 , 15:24
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The New England Patriots have confirmed that cornerback Isaiah Bolden has left the hospital after being held overnight because of an injury that halted their preseason game against the Green Bay Packers.
Bolden, 23, was trying to tackle the Packers rookie wide receiver Malik Heath but inadvertently collided with teammate Calvin Munson instead. Following the collision, the seventh-round pick lay motionless on the field before being stabilised and carted off Lambeau Field.
With 10:29 left on the clock during the fourth quarter and the Patriots leading 21-17, both teams decided to suspend the game. Referee John Hussey then called time on the preseason outing.
Later the Pats confirmed Bolden was taken to a local hospital in the Green Bay area "for further tests and observation" and kept overnight. The team also revealed that "he had feeling in all his extremities".
A detailed update on the cornerback has now come from the organisation. "After undergoing a series of evaluations and being held for overnight observations," a statement starts,
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"Patriots cornerback Isaiah Bolden has been released from the Aurora Bay Medical Center in Green Bay, Wisconsin, where he was transported to after sustaining an on-field injury in the fourth quarter of Saturday night's preseason game between the New England Patriots and the Green Bay Packers."
"Isaiah will travel with the team today," the team added. "We thank the medical staff at Aurora Bay Medical Center for their overnight evaluations, as well as the Patriots and Packers medical staffs for their immediate on-field response and care in transporting Isaiah to a nearby hospital."
Bolden is now out of the hospital after sustaining a serious-looking injury during the gameDecisions have also come on their immediate preseason schedule. "Due to the circumstances surrounding the abrupt and unexpected ending to last night's game, the Patriots will return to Foxborough today," they announced.
"The joint practices that were scheduled with the Tennessee Titans on Tuesday and Wednesday are cancelled. The team will train in Foxborough this week and fly to Nashville on Thursday for Friday night's game."
Following that update, the player has since taken to social media to provide a personal update. "Appreciate the prayers more excited to be back with the guys," Bolden's post reads.
As the cornerback alludes to in his message, the entire Patriots bench took to the field and partook in a team prayer as their teammate got tended to. Team captain Matthew Slater led them into that moment of togetherness.
Pats head coach Bill Belichick also spoke about keeping Bolden in his prayers when addressing reporters at a press conference. "The situation is a bigger picture than the game," he said. "I'll say a prayer for Isaiah. I appreciate the way the league handled it. I think that was the right thing to do."
Slater also singled Belichick out for praise. "I really appreciate what coach Belichick did tonight," the veteran wide receiver said. "He took the initiative on that," the team captain said.