Ja’Lynn Polk just went to the blue medical tent. He was holding his arm after being tackled.
— Mark Daniels (@ByMarkDaniels) August 9, 2025
Former Washington Huskies star Ja’Lynn Polk is looking to get back on track in his second NFL season with the New England Patriots.
After the second-round pick in the 2024 draft had an underwhelming rookie campaign, where he recorded just 12 catches for 87 yards and 2 touchdowns while dealing with various injuries, head coach Mike Vrabel was hopeful that Polk could emerge as a contributor at a much deeper wide receiver position for promising young quarterback Drake Maye.
However, Polk appeared to have reaggravated a right shoulder injury that he underwent surgery to repair during the offseason during New England’s first preseason game against the Washington Commanders.
On his only touch of the night, Polk took an end-around from backup quarterback Josh Dobbs and turned upfield, but was only able to gain a yard before he was taken down by Commanders cornerback Noah Igbinoghene, and the former Husky star landed hard on his right shoulder, which forced him to be taken to the medical tent.
“No update right now,” Vrabel told members of the media after the game. “He’ll get more testing and see our doctors. [He] wasn’t able to finish the game.”
If Polk is forced to miss an extended period of time with his injury, the Patriots could turn to another receiver from the Pacific Northwest in his place, former Eastern Washington standout Efton Chism III, who recorded 6 catches for 50 yards and a touchdown in their 48-18 win over the Commanders.