Falcons rookie Daniels back in locker room after neck injury scare — SkimNews
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- Kendal Daniels was carted off on a gurney during the third quarter of Atlanta's 31-23 loss to Chicago after his head collided with tight end Colston Loveland's left leg while tackling him on a Caleb Williams pass completion with 8:48 remaining (Bears leading 21-7).
- Medical personnel stabilized Daniels' neck and body on the field before transporting him to Grady Memorial Hospital, where the Falcons said he had movement in all extremities.
- Daniels subsequently returned to Mercedes-Benz Stadium and was walking through the locker room under his own power after the game despite the frightening scene.
- QB Michael Penix Jr. said Daniels made a fist with his left hand while being carted off and told his teammates, "Y'all go finish this off."
- Coach Kevin Stefanski called it a moment "no fun for anybody," adding, "Kendal is a kid we all love, we all respect."
- Daniels, a fourth-round draft pick from Oklahoma and a starter since Week 1, was wearing the green dot as defensive playcaller because Divine Deablo is out with an arm injury; Josh Woods took over that role in Daniels' absence.
Why it matters: The Falcons lost another key piece of their linebacker corps to injury on Sunday, but Daniels walking out of the hospital under his own power is the best possible outcome for a defense that was already missing Divine Deablo — and the quick scare-to-relief turnaround will likely boost a locker room that watched their playcaller get strapped to a gurney mid-game.
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