Falcons Rookie Kendal Daniels Rejoins Falcons After Being Carted Off Field With Neck Injury

Atlanta Falcons rookie linebacker Kendal Daniels left the game on Sunday against the Chicago Bears with a neck injury. He was carted off the field and taken to a local hospital.

Daniels’ injury looked scary at first glance and appeared serious. It took place halfway through the third quarter. He didn’t get up for a good amount of time, and his neck and body had to be stabilized when they carted him off.

He had full use of all his extremities and actually got out of the hospital and returned to the locker room after the game. He returned to the stadium surprisingly on his own and walked around the locker room.

Head Coach Kevin Stefanski gave an update on Daniels on Monday and was very optimistic. “All positive news on Kendal Daniels,” the coach said. “He’s here back in the building today. He got back from the hospital to the locker room after the game. So I feel very, very fortunate that he got the treatment that he got, but also we feel really good about where he is.”

Daniels has 22 tackles and 1.0 sacks so far this season. He was drafted out of Oklahoma, has been the starter since the beginning of the season, and also handled defensive play-calling duties before he left the game.

The Falcons’ next game is against the San Francisco 49ers next Sunday, and Josh Woods took over for Daniels after the injury. He would likely take his spot if Daniels misses any time after further evaluations. He is the next man on the depth chart. Daniels is currently listed as officially questionable.

The Falcons lost the game after he departed, 31-23, in Bears QB Caleb Williams’ return. It was 21-7 Bears when the Daniels injury occurred.