New England Patriots rookie wide receiver Malcolm Mitchell’s preseason debut ended in gruesome fashion, but he’ll be back.

Mitchell dislocated his left elbow during the second quarter of the Patriots’ 34-22 victory against the Saints Thursday night, but he is expected to return in four weeks, two sources told the Boston Herald.

New England wide receiver Malcolm Mitchell holds his left arm after landing on it following a catch in Thursday's preseason game against New Orleans. Mitchell will reportedly miss four weeks with a dislocated elbow. Associated Press/Winslow Townson

Crew members paint the end zone with the Rams lettering at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum – the team's former home – in preparation for a preseason game against the Dallas Cowboys. Associated Press/Richard Vogel

Mitchell sustained the injury while bracing his fall after an 8-yard catch. The fourth-round pick out of Georgia was trying to keep his balance with his left hand while being tackled by Saints cornerback De’Vante Harris, but Mitchell’s arm twisted and gave out.

He immediately clutched his arm and ran straight to the locker room with the Patriots medical staff.

Mitchell had a team-high four catches for 55 yards. His athleticism and playmaking ability helped him get more first-team reps in practice in recent days, and he was New England’s best receiver on the field in the opening half.

If he can indeed get back within that four-week window, the rookie could be ready to go for the opener against the Cardinals. However, the missed practice time will hinder his personal growth and chemistry with quarterbacks Tom Brady and Jimmy Garoppolo.

Still, with the way the injury initially appeared, that he should only miss a month is a victory in itself.

RAMS: Technically, the team’s game Saturday against the Dallas Cowboys is just a preseason opener at a temporary home for a relocating team that hasn’t made the playoffs in 11 years.

But that temporary home is also the team’s traditional home, the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, where the Rams will play as the host team for the first time in 36 years, giving the day huge sentimental and symbolic importance for fans.

“I’m really ecstatic to see my team back on the field in LA,” said longtime fan and local native Dan Salcedo.

For now fans have to watch a rebuilding Rams team, though with reasons for excitement including explosive young running back Todd Gurley and No. 1 overall draft pick quarterback Jared Goff, who for now will back up starter Case Keenum.

The young players have been getting the Hollywood treatment already.

The team’s training camp is the focus of this year’s “Hard Knocks” on HBO. Hip stars like rapper Kendrick Lamar visited the team at training camp, and their games are likely to become a new version of the Lakers’ sideline for celebrities.

BILLS: Buffalo has placed its faith in quarterback Tyrod Taylor by signing him to a contract extension.

Taylor was entering the final year of his contract and set make a $2 million base salary this season.

He is being rewarded for displaying his dual-threat potential with his strong arm and scrambling ability in going 8-6 as a first-time starter last season.

Taylor completed 242 of 380 attempts for 3,035 yards passing, and threw 20 touchdown passes.

GIANTS: Quarterback Eli Manning sat out the team’s preseason opener against the Dolphins.

Ben McAdoo, in his first season as the Giants’ coach after spending the past two as their offensive coordinator, said he knows what Manning can do.

Ryan Nassib, who has thrown 10 passes in his first three seasons with the Giants, got the start.

FORMER NFL player Barret Robbins, who has a history of mental illness, has been charged with assaulting a woman and her daughter outside a Florida hotel.

Palm Beach County court documents show that 42-year-old Barret Robbins is facing two felony battery counts. Authorities say Robbins allegedly approached the woman and her daughter randomly outside the hotel Monday and began punching them repeatedly. Robbins then sat down on a bench.

Robbins was an All-Pro center for the Oakland Raiders who missed the team’s 2003 Super Bowl game after disappearing the day before. He was later diagnosed with bipolar disorder.

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