New England's Vince Wilfork leaves with ankle injury; Atlanta's Sam Baker out with knee injury
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}New England defensive tackle Vince Wilfork left Sunday night's game against the Atlanta Falcons on the opening drive with a right ankle injury and did not return.
Patriots receiver Aaron Dobson was injured in the end zone midway through the third quarter as he attempted to catch a touchdown pass.
Falcons cornerback Robert Alford appeared to hold Dobson on the route, and quarterback Tom Brady threw the ball into the artificial turf in front of both players.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Atlanta safety Thomas DeCoud knocked his knee against the front of Dobson's helmet as Dobson fell to the turf. Dobson was on his back for a couple of minutes before New England's medical staff attended to him.
Dobson walked off the field under his own power, but was questionable to return.
Wilfork, a five-time Pro Bowl selection, appeared to turn his right foot while trying to pressure quarterback Matt Ryan from the New England 6-yard line.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}He was able to walk off the field under his own power.
Rookie Joe Vellano, who sacked Ryan for a 13-yard loss late in the third quarter, took some snaps in Wilfork's spot after the injury.
The Falcons lost left tackle Sam Baker early in the second quarter with a knee injury. After walking slowly off the field under his own power, Baker was escorted to the locker room.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Baker's return was questionable. Lamar Holmes took his place.
New England running back Brandon Bolden injured his knee on a second-quarter play against linebacker Akeem Dent, but returned in the third.
Falcons special teams player Paul Worrilow injured his knee in the third and was questionable to return.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The Patriots began the night with a 108-31 record in Wilfork's 139 regular-season games.
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