JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The New England Patriots lost two starters to concussions in the first half of Sunday's game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, as defensive end Trey Flowers and safety Patrick Chung were ruled out by the club at halftime.
Flowers, who led the team with 6½ sacks last season and is the top player on the depth chart, collided with teammate Keionta Davis on the Jaguars' opening drive and never returned.
Meanwhile, Chung was in coverage on the Jaguars' final offensive play of the second quarter -- a 4-yard touchdown pass from Blake Bortles to tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins -- when he was chasing Seferian-Jenkins to the left side of the end zone and made contact with receiver Dede Westbrook, who was running an inside-breaking route.
It was unclear if that was the play on which Chung -- who was also serving as the team's primary punt returner in the game -- sustained a concussion.
Veteran Duron Harmon took over Chung's duties on defense in the second half.
Patriots had second-year player Deatrich Wise Jr. stepped into Flowers' role at defensive end, but missed time late in the game with a hand injury.
The Patriots visit the Detroit Lions next Sunday night.