Falcons Linebacker Kendal Daniels is ‘Alert and Has Movement’ After Suffering Scary Neck Injury During Bears Loss
· Yahoo Sports
Credit: Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty
NEED TO KNOW
- Kendal Daniels was carted off the field after suffering a scary neck injury in the third quarter during the Bears-Falcons game on Sunday, Oct. 18
- The Falcons linebacker took a knee to the face after colliding with Bears tight end Colston Loveland
- Atlanta fell 31-23 to Chicago in Week 6
Kendal Daniels is on the road to recovery.
The Atlanta Falcons linebacker, 23, has been released from the hospital after suffering a scary injury sustained in the third quarter of his team’s game against the Chicago Bears at their home at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday, Oct. 18.
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“Kendal Daniels is alert and has movement in all his extremities. He was taken to Grady Memorial Hospital for further evaluation,” the Falcons wrote on X in an update regarding the player following the incident.
Kendal Daniels on Aug. 14, 2026Credit: Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty
Daniels was injured after his facemask collided with Bears tight end Colston Loveland’s knee on a tackle attempt with 8 minutes and 34 seconds on the clock in the third quarter and the Falcons down 7-21. He was swarmed by medical personnel before being carted off the field.
“Kendal Daniels’ facemask went right into Colston Loveland’s knee on that tackle attempt. Daniels is now down with trainers by him, and several Falcons teammates are on a knee,” reported the Atlanta Journal-Constitution on X at the time of the incident.
Medical personnel cut Daniels’ jersey off during the process of immobilizing his neck, reported Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk. The linebacker “appeared to be conscious and moving a hand,” he noted while observing the scene.
Daniels, who was selected by the Falcons in the fourth round of the 2026 NFL Draft, returned to the stadium following his hospital visit. According to multiple reporters, he was able to walk without assistance.
Kendal Daniels #53 of the Atlanta Falcons is carted off the field after a play against the Chicago Bears during the third quarter of the game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Oct. 18, 2026 in Atlanta.Credit: Kevin C. Cox/Getty
“Kendal Daniels returned to Atlanta’s locker room moments ago, still in game pants and walking under his own power,” tweeted Josh Kendall, Falcons beat writer for The Athletic.
Sports Illustrated Falcons beat writer Darius Hayes similarly reported, “Kendal Daniels returned to the Falcons locker room moments ago, still in game pants and walking.”
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The Falcons lost to the Bears 31-23. Atlanta is now 2-4 heading into Week 7.
The Bears, meanwhile, clinched the win led by Caleb Williams, who returned to the field as starting quarterback following his hamstring injury suffered on Sept. 20.
Kendal Daniels makes a tackle during the Falcons-Bears game on Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026.Credit: David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire via Getty
“I felt confident from the jump,” Williams said of his return, per ESPN. “When I get out there, I’m going to feel confident in my leg, in myself and in my guys and the O-line. So I just let it rip, let these guys go make plays for us, get first downs and score touchdowns.”
Postgame, Williams said his body felt “great” despite four sacks.
“Felt great to get hit after three weeks of just rehabbing,” he said. “So [I] feel strong, feel good. Obviously got to go and take care of it this week. It’s going to be a weekly thing, just taking care of it, staying up to date on it and taking care of my body.”
Next, the Bears take on the New England Patriots on Thursday, Oct. 22.
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