Falcons Rookie Linebacker Kendal Daniels Stretchered Off Field After Scary Collision
Daniels sustained a helmet-to-knee impact during Sunday's game and was taken to the hospital.
Atlanta Falcons rookie linebacker Kendal Daniels was stretchered off the field at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday after a collision during a tackle against the Chicago Bears. The injury occurred as Daniels was attempting to bring down Bears tight end Colston Loveland.
Daniels' helmet made contact with Loveland's knee during the play. After the collision, Daniels appeared to be in pain and was attended to by medical staff and his teammates. Reports from the press box indicated his jersey was cut off by medical personnel before he was placed on a gurney and stabilized.
During the broadcast, FOX Sports play-by-play announcer Kevin Burkhardt stated that Daniels was conscious and that every precaution was being taken to ensure his care. He noted that Daniels had been seen moving his extremities.
Daniels, a fourth-round pick from Oklahoma in the 2026 NFL Draft, has been a starter for the Falcons defense in all six games of his rookie season. Entering Sunday's game, he had recorded 22 combined tackles, one sack, and one pass defended over five games.
The team later transported Daniels to Grady Memorial Hospital for further evaluation of his injury.