Patriots rookie receiver carried off the field with leg injury in preseason game against the Eagles

Patriots wide receiver JaQuae Jackson was carted off the field at Gillette Stadium on Thursday night after suffering a leg injury in a preseason game.

The injury occurred early in the fourth quarter on an incomplete pass by quarterback Joe Milton III on the Philadelphia Eagles' sideline. Jackson, an undrafted rookie, remained on the turf for several minutes.

The Patriots sideline emptied as Jackson was loaded onto the cart, and he placed a towel over his head as he was taken through the tunnel toward the locker room.

Jackson played at Rutgers last season after transferring from Division II University of California of Pennsylvania, where he caught 77 passes for 1,178 yards and 13 touchdowns in 2022. He initially signed a UDFA contract with the Atlanta Falcons before joining the Patriots in June.

The 24-year-old had little chance of making New England's 53-man roster, but he has had some positive moments this summer, most notably his 38-yard touchdown catch from Milton in last week's preseason opener against the Carolina Panthers. He is one of four rookie wideouts on the 90-man roster, along with second-round pick Ja'Lynn Polk, fourth-round pick Javon Baker and fellow UDFA David Wallis.

The Patriots quickly ruled Jackson out for the rest of the game.

Originally published: August 15, 2024 at 21:43