EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Durable New York Jets center Nick Mangold was carted off the field about midway through the second quarter Sunday with what the team called an ankle injury.

Mangold, who has missed just two games since being selected by the Jets in the first round of the 2006 draft, was injured at the end of a 14-yard run by running back Bilal Powell out of the Wildcat. Mangold was following the play when a Patriots player appeared to accidentally roll into him.

Trainers tended to Mangold and a cart was almost immediately called on to the field. Players from both teams patted Mangold on the helmet as he was helped on to the cart. The 30-year-old gave a thumbs up as he was carted off.

The Jets said his return was questionable.

Mangold took every snap this season for the Jets until a finger injury forced him from the field for five snaps in last week’s 16-11 win over the Tennessee Titans.