Atlanta Falcons rookie linebacker Kendal Daniels was carted off the field after a frightening collision during Sunday’s game against the Chicago Bears, leaving teammates and fans concerned about his condition.
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The incident occurred in the third quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium as Daniels attempted to tackle Bears tight end Colston Loveland. The collision left the rookie down on the field, prompting medical personnel to rush to his aid.
Falcons players gathered around Daniels as the medical team assessed him. He was eventually secured to a backboard and taken off the field on a cart. Watch the video of the incident shared by Falcons reporter Will McFadden on X.
The scene was particularly concerning given the apparent head or neck injury involved. Players from both teams showed concern while medical personnel worked to assist Daniels, and the game was interrupted during the response.
The Falcons and their supporters will now await further information about the rookie’s condition. No confirmed diagnosis or recovery timeline was available in the reports reviewed for this article, so it would be premature to speculate about the severity of the injury or how long he could be sidelined.
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Daniels’ injury is an unwelcome development for an Atlanta defense already dealing with personnel concerns. Linebacker Divine Deablo also left Sunday’s contest with an injury, according to The Falcoholic’s game coverage.
Atlanta selected Daniels in the fourth round of the 2026 NFL Draft, taking the versatile linebacker with the 134th overall pick. The former Oklahoma player previously spent three seasons at Oklahoma State, where he played safety before transitioning to linebacker.
His versatility made him an intriguing addition to the Falcons’ defense, and his availability could become important as the team manages its linebacker rotation.
For now, the priority is Daniels’ health. The Falcons will hope for a positive update after a frightening moment that brought Sunday’s game to a pause.
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