Patriots WR Danny Amendola leaves game with head injury
— -- FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- New England Patriots wide receiver Danny Amendola, a key part of the team's plans as its adjusts to the season-ending injury sustained by receiver Julian Edelman, left Thursday's season-opening 42-27 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in the fourh quarter with a head injury and was ruled out by the team.
Amendola, 31, was utilized as the Patriots' top punt returner against the Chiefs, which has been Edelman's role in recent years. He also caught quarterback Tom Brady's first two completions on third down, which is when Brady usually targets Edelman (team-high 38 times on third down in 2016).
Amendola was the Patriots' No. 3 receiver against the Chiefs, playing in the three-wide package alongside Chris Hogan and Brandin Cooks. When he left the game, it thrust newly-acquired receiver Phillip Dorsett into that role. Meanwhile, safety Patrick Chung took over the punt-return duties.
That wasn't the only significant injury for the Patriots, as starting linebacker Dont'a Hightower left the game earlier in the third quarter with a knee injury. He had remained on the sideline after the injury, riding the stationary bike behind the bench with a large wrap over his right knee.
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