The New England Patriots jumped to a commanding 27-3 first-half lead in their preseason opener against the Washington Commanders, but they lost a member of their wide receiver group along the way.

Ja’Lynn Polk departed the game in the second quarter after suffering an apparent right shoulder or arm injury. The second-year pass catcher remained on the ground after gaining a yard on a jet sweep, and left the field for the blue medical tent on the sidelines. When he emerged, he departed for the locker room with a towel over his head.

Polk, a second-round draft pick by the Patriots in 2024, ended his rookie campaign on injured reserve due to a shoulder injury. He subsequently underwent surgery and was limited in the spring, but avoided the physically unable to perform list to start training

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