Philadelphia Eagles running back Ja'Quinden Jackson has been released from the hospital and is traveling back to Philadelphia following a frightening injury sustained during a preseason game against the New England Patriots. Jackson was carted off the field and transported to a local hospital via ambulance after a hit on the opening kickoff left him motionless.
An update released by Jackson's agent, Damien Butler, confirmed the positive health developments. "Tonight, above everything else, we thank God that Ja'Quinden is doing well after what was an incredibly frightening moment," Butler stated. "I just spoke with Ja'Quinden. He is awake, has full movement and use of all four limbs, and his CT scan came back negative."
The incident occurred on the 25-yard line, with the exact cause of the injury remaining unclear. Players from both teams gathered on the sideline as medical personnel attended to Jackson, who was fitted with a neck brace before being loaded onto a stretcher and then into an ambulance. The game was temporarily halted. Jackson was observed briefly raising his left arm before play resumed.
Butler expressed gratitude for the swift actions of the medical teams. "We are extremely grateful to the Philadelphia Eagles medical staff and all of the first responders who acted quickly and took great care of Ja'Quinden in those critical moments," he said. "We also sincerely appreciate all of the prayers, calls, messages and concern that have poured in for him tonight."
Jackson, 24, signed with the Eagles just 12 days prior to the game, having been waived by the Jacksonville Jaguars in May. He has yet to play in a regular-season NFL game after being cut by the Jaguars during the preseason last year. He previously played college football at Texas before transferring to Utah and then Arkansas. Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel offered well wishes to Jackson after the game, stating, "First of all, I would just like to send our thoughts and prayers out for Ja'Quinden Jackson."