### BREAKING: Patriots RB Antonio Gibson out for season with torn ACL

In a gut-wrenching turn during the New England Patriots’ thrilling 23-20 upset over the Buffalo Bills, a key contributor crumpled to the Highmark Stadium turf. The second-quarter special teams play shifted from promise to peril in an instant.

The running back, serving double duty on offense and returns, absorbed a thunderous hit while fielding a kickoff. Launched airborne, he crashed down awkwardly, clutching his knee amid the scramble for a loose ball, halting play for agonizing minutes.

Antonio Gibson, the versatile sixth-year pro acquired in free agency last offseason, immediately signaled distress. Trainers swarmed as he limped off, tears streaking his face, leaving teammates shaken in the shadow of the goalposts.

“It’s devastating—Antonio’s our spark plug, that electric presence we built around,” head coach Jerod Mayo said postgame, voice cracking. “This hits hard, but we’ll rally for him and grind through.” His raw emotion captured the locker room’s collective heartbreak.

Medical evaluations Monday confirmed the worst: a complete tear of the right ACL, sidelining the 27-year-old for the remainder of the 2025 campaign. Gibson’s early-season flashes—106 rushing yards, a touchdown, and explosive returns—now fuel memories rather than momentum.

The Patriots, now 3-2 and clinging to AFC East hopes, face a reshuffled backfield. Rhamondre Stevenson, despite fumble woes, and rookie TreVeyon Henderson must shoulder the load, with special teams coordinator adding urgency to roster tweaks.

League-wide, the injury underscores football’s unforgiving toll on dynamic athletes like Gibson, whose dual-threat role amplified New England’s grit. As he begins rehab, the focus shifts to resilience in Foxborough’s rebuild.

Patriots Nation mourns the loss but eyes the horizon—Week 6 at home against the Jets looms, a chance to honor Gibson’s fire with unyielding resolve and a statement win.