Patriots head coach Bill Belichick displayed his leadership after rookie cornerback Isaiah Bolden was carted off the field on a back board by meeting with Packers head coach Matt LaFleur and agreeing to suspend play of Saturday night’s preseason game.

Special teams captain Matthew Slater called it one of his “proudest moments” of playing under Belichick since 2008.

“I really appreciate what Coach Belichick did tonight,” Slater said. “He took the initiative on (suspending play). This is not the AFC Championship. We’re not playing for records. It’s preseason Game 2. When you have an injury like that, it affects a lot of guys in a lot of different ways. Clearly our team was shaken by what happened. And I think Coach made the right decision. That was tremendous leadership by him.

“That was one of the proudest moments I’ve had as a guy who’s played for him for now 16 years to see wha the did. There was no hesitation. I appreciate Coach LaFleur, as well, for standing with him on that. I think everybody acted swiftly. It was the right call in the situation.”

Bolden appeared to take a hit to the helmet from teammate Calvin Munson after a Packers completion. The Patriots announced after the game that he has feeling in all extremities and was taken to a local hospital for further tests and evaluation.

Quarterback Mac Jones also appreciated the message Belichick and Slater delivered to the team after the game.

“I think Coach Belichick just really did a good job there talking with Slater and the leadership of the team,” Jones said. “Obviously handled the situation. Him and Slater did a great job in the locker room, just talking to the team like he always does. He tries to bring us together. It’s all real emotion. We really appreciate him and Slater and those leaders on our team who can bring us together during a tough time. I thought that was smart.”