Story perspectives

Falcons’ Kendal Daniels taken to hospital after neck injury

By Drooid · Oct 18, 2026, 10:42 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Kendal Daniels stretchered

Rookie linebacker Kendal Daniels left the field on a stretcher with a neck injury in the third quarter versus Chicago.
Daniels’ facemask struck Bears tight end Colston Loveland’s knee during the tackle.
Trainers cut his jersey, immobilized his neck, placed him on a backboard and a cart for transport.
The Falcons said Daniels was alert, moved all extremities, and was taken to Grady Memorial Hospital.

Summary

Falcons rely depth

The Falcons’ defense lists five injured players, including Daniels, Deablo, AJ Terrell, CJ Henderson, and others.
Defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich said the unit must rely on depth players after the spate of injuries.
Rookie Harold Perkins Jr. and safety Josh Woods are expected to assume larger roles with both starting linebackers out.

Summary

Fox pauses broadcast

Falcons teammates gathered around Daniels, prayed, and placed him on a stretcher after his injury.
Fox paused the broadcast for multiple commercial breaks and switched away while Daniels received treatment.
Former NFL team doctor David Chao warned on X that Daniels’ head-down position raised neck-injury risk.
Reporter Tom Rinaldi said Daniels was fully conscious with full movement in all his extremities.

History

Historical Context

After NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell testified before Congress in October 2009, the league overhauled its concussion policy and, amid thousands of lawsuits, reached a $765 million settlement in August 2013 to fund medical care for former players. Those reforms, including stricter return-to-play rules, provide context for the Falcons’ 2024 focus on neck-injury protocols under defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich.

1 of 4

Kendal Daniels stretchered

Rookie linebacker Kendal Daniels left the field on a stretcher with a neck injury in the third quarter versus Chicago.
Daniels’ facemask struck Bears tight end Colston Loveland’s knee during the tackle.
Trainers cut his jersey, immobilized his neck, placed him on a backboard and a cart for transport.
The Falcons said Daniels was alert, moved all extremities, and was taken to Grady Memorial Hospital.

1 / 4