Mac Jones suffers back injury in season opener, though X-rays are reportedly negative

BOSTON -- Sunday afternoon was a rough one for the New England Patriots, and it may have gotten a bit worse after the game.

Following the Patriots' 20-7 loss to the Dolphins in Miami to start their season, second-year quarterback Mac Jones was seen by reporters heading to the X-ray room for evaluation.

The quarterback exited the X-ray room after several minutes and returned to the Patriots' locker room.

Head coach Bill Belichick was asked after the game if Jones is injured.

"I don't know," Belichick said, roughly 40 minutes after the game ended. "I haven't been in the training room."

Minutes after Belichick's press conference concluded, the Patriots announced that Jones would not be speaking to the media due to a back injury.

NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported that X-rays were negative, which is positive news for New England. The injury, though, will of course warrant watching in the coming day as the Patriots prepare for Pittsburgh next weekend.

The Patriots have veteran Brian Hoyer and rookie Bailey Zappe on the depth chart behind Jones.

Jones completed 21 of his 30 passes on Sunday for 213 yards with one touchdown and one interception. He was sacked twice, and he never left the game with injury. He seemed prepared to go back on the field if the Patriots' defense had been able to stop the Miami offense in the final minutes of the game.

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