New England Patriots wide receiver Josh Gordon left Thursday night’s game against the New York Giants with an injury that looked like it had the potential to be devastating, but all indications are that it was not nearly as bad as it appeared.
Gordon was trying to save a touchdown after a Tom Brady interception in the second quarter when his leg bent awkwardly underneath him. To the untrained eye, there was no way to imagine the injury would be anything less than serious.
Be OK Josh Gordon pic.twitter.com/TLf275ZPVi
— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) October 11, 2019
However, Patriots fans were able to breathe a collective sigh of relief when Gordon was later spotted using a stationary bike on the sideline. He was announced as questionable to return rather than ruled out, though he did not re-enter the game.
Dr. David J. Chao, a former NFL team doctor and practicing orthopedic surgeon, said after reviewing the video of Gordon’s injury that he has no concern for a long-term injury. He said Gordon could have suffered a minor MCL or ankle injury, but he does not anticipate an MRI revealing any type of significant ligament damage. Chao compared Gordon’s injury to when Sony Michel was carted off with a nasty-looking knee injury last season, and the running back didn’t miss much time.
The Patriots are already thin at wide receiver and Julian Edelman has banged up ribs, so it’s good news that Gordon appears to have avoided a major injury. New England now has extra time to rest before facing the New York Jets on Monday Night Football in Week 7, which should also work to Gordon’s advantage.
