A crestfallen Antonio Gibson (4) gets helped off the field after the Patriots running back/kick returner suffered an apparent knee injury in the second quarter Sunday night in Buffalo.
A crestfallen Antonio Gibson (4) gets helped off the field after the Patriots running back/kick returner suffered an apparent knee injury in the second quarter Sunday night in Buffalo.Danielle Parhizkaran/Globe Staff
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — The Patriots lost running back Antonio Gibson to a serious knee injury in the second quarter of Sunday night’s game against Buffalo.
After the Bills tied the score, 3-3, with a 31-yard field goal from Matt Prater, Gibson was back to return the ensuing kickoff. He fielded the ball and ran 24 yards, before a tackle attempt from Bills defensive back Cam Lewis forced a fumble and sent Gibson into the air.
Gibson grabbed at his knee upon landing, but ended up at the bottom of a pile-up amid the frenzied attempts to cover the loose ball. Once the players cleared — and the Patriots recovered the ball — Gibson remained down on the ground. His teammates took a knee around him, while athletic trainers and coach Mike Vrabel came out to check on him.
Patriots kick returner Antonio Gibson fumbles after he is hit by Buffalo's Cam Lewis.
Patriots kick returner Antonio Gibson fumbles after he is hit by Buffalo's Cam Lewis.Adrian Kraus/Associated Press
Gibson gingerly made his way off the field, walking off with the trainers and putting minimal weight on his right leg. The Patriots quickly ruled him out with a knee injury.
This season, Gibson has functioned as a depth piece behind Rhamondre Stevenson and rookie TreVeyon Henderson. He earned an elevated role in Sunday’s game, leading the team in carries prior to his injury, because Stevenson fumbled in the first quarter.
Stevenson’s ability to take care of the football is a recurring issue — he’s now fumbled three times this season, and 10 times in his last 20 games — but it now may be difficult for the Patriots to take any drastic action. The only other running back with the team right now is Terrell Jennings on the practice squad.
Following Gibson’s injury, the Patriots primarily turned to Henderson out of the backfield but continued to use Stevenson. It’s clear the Patriots still trust Stevenson more in pass protection.
As for Gibson’s kick return duties, Henderson is also a candidate to take those over. The Patriots may also give rookie Kyle Williams more opportunities.
Nicole Yang can be reached at nicole.yang@globe.com.Follow her @nicolecyang.