The Tennessee Titans could use a challenge as they enter the final stanzas of training camp. But in a departure from the often-ruthless psychological war zone that is the NFL, the opponent's well-bring took precedence.
Tennessee was set to welcome in the New England Patriots for a series of joint practices leading into each side's preseason finale on Friday night (8:15 p.m. ET, WBZ). But the Patriots' emotional state after witnessing rookie defender Isaiah Bolden sustain a frightening injury in an inadvertent head-on collision with a teammate during a Week 2 preseason tilt in Green Bay led to the team requesting a cancellation.
Titans head coach Mike Vrabel, himself a former New England defender and imminent Hall of Famer, said that honoring the Patriots' request was one of the easiest decisions he'd ever make.
“Obviously, there’s a recovery and we understand what can happen in this game, unfortunately," Vrabel said. "The Patriots are going to focus on them, and making sure they’re doing what they need to do to get ready for their season.
"(We) would’ve loved to work with them, but obviously understand that things come up and we’re always able to adjust and adapt. We’ll practice and we’ll get work in and we’ll see where we are here at the end of the week on Friday.”
Bolden's injury was sustained with just over 10 minutes remaining on the game clock. That remaining time was erased after a collaboration between head coaches Bill Belichick and Mike LaFleur. A seventh-round pick out of Jackson State, Bolden was credited with three tackles before his departure. At the time of the incident, New England led 21-17.
The Patriots released good news on Sunday morning, revealing that Bolden spent Saturday night in a Green Bay hospital but has since been released. While Bolden will obviously need some recovery time, he released a brief social media statement thanking his teammates and staff for their support.
More must-reads: