Buccaneers QB John Wolford is taken off the field on a spine board in frightening scene during preseason game against the Jets – but 27-year-old gives ‘thumbs up’ to stunned crowd

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback John Wolford was carried on a spine off the field in a terrifying scene Saturday night at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

Wolford was injured during the second half of a preseason game against the New York Jets, but did give a ‘thumbs up’ sign when he was taken off the field.

Although he suffered a neck injury, Wolford has feeling in his extremities, according to the Buccaneers, who reported that he was taken to a local hospital for examination.

Wolford was knocked down by Jets defensive lineman Isaiah Mack on the play.

While the hit itself wasn’t particularly brutal, Wolford stayed on the turf, sparking immediate fear on the sidelines as his Buccaneers teammates poured onto the field.

Players watch Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach John Wolford help during Saturday’s game

Wolford is a former Los Angeles Rams backup and once played on the Jets’ practice team

Wolford, a 27-year-old former Wake Forest star, was not called up in 2018, but was invited to the Jets training camp and eventually made part of the team’s practice squad.

He later resurfaced as a Los Angeles Rams backup in 2019 before joining the Buccaneers in preseason this year.

In seven career NFL games, Wolford has 61 completions for 626 yards and a touchdown.

His uncle, Will Wolford, was a Pro Bowl offensive lineman for the Buffalo Bills, Indianapolis Colts, and Pittsburgh Steelers in the 1980s and 1990s.