New England Patriots wide receiver Ja’Lynn Polk seems to be snakebitten.
Polk, who missed the beginning of training camp while recovering from offseason shoulder surgery, was dealt a brutal blow as he seemingly injured the same shoulder on his first touch in Friday’s preseason opener against the Washington Commanders.
Polk was looking to gain the edge on a carry in the red area, and was dragged down directly on the previously-injured shoulder.
ESPN’s Mike Reiss reported the second-year wide receiver, with a towel over his head, was taken to the locker room for further evaluation before halftime. The Patriots didn’t issue an immediate update.
It’s as poorly-timed an injury possibly could be. Polk was hoping to put a rough rookie season behind him, but hadn’t really separated himself from the competition within the wide receiver room across a couple of weeks.
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New England will now have to make a decision on what is best, with a trip to season-ending injured reserve seemingly on the table.