NFL preseason: Patriots-Packer...

A preseason game between the New England Patriots and Green Bay Packers was suspended in the fourth quarter after Patriots cornerback Isaiah Bolden was taken off the field in a stretcher following a hard hit to the helmet.

The decision was a mutual agreement between the two teams.

The hit occurred when Bolden attempted to tackle Packers wide receiver Malik Heath. As two other Patriots moved in for the tackle, the rookie's helmet made hard contact and left him on the ground not moving. You can see the play here, but be warned the aftermath is a disturbing sight:

Play was immediately stopped, with the Patriots surrounding Bolden while taking a knee as trainers attended to him. Packers players also kneeled with the Patriots in a scene reminiscent of the one involving Dama Hamlin earlier this year. Bolden eventually left on a stretcher.

The Patriots later announced that Bolden had feeling in all his extremities, but was taken to a local hopsital for further testing.

The game ended with the Patriots winning 21-17.

Patriots special teams veteran Matthew Slater told reporters head coach Bill Belichick "took the initiative" on suspending the game, recognizing that the time left in the game was insignificant compared to Bolden's situation. Wide receiver Kendrick Bourne also said he appreciated the NFL acting for its players.

"They said he was moving, he was responding pretty well," Bourne said. "Think it looked like it was head-to-head, it was like a pile together. You just never know in those moments. You try to play with good technique and sometimes people lower their head. Everybody is just playing football, it's part of the game."

The Patriots drafted Bolden out of Jackson State in the seventh round of the 2023 NFL Draft with the 245th overall pick. A Tampa native, he began his college career at Florida State before deciding to join Deion Sanders' program.