Atlanta Falcons rookie linebacker Kendal Daniels was taken off the field on a stretcher after a collision during the team’s game against the Chicago Bears at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The incident happened as Daniels moved in to tackle Bears tight end Colston Loveland. Daniels’ helmet struck Loveland’s knee, according to the report.
After the contact, Daniels shook his head and appeared to be in pain. Falcons teammates gathered around him as medical personnel provided assistance. The source said some players on the sideline prayed while the situation unfolded. Reporters in the stadium press box observed medical staff cutting off Daniels’ jersey before he was placed on a gurney with his body stabilized.
During the broadcast, Fox play-by-play announcer Kevin Burkhardt said Daniels was conscious and that viewers had seen his hand move. Burkhardt said medical personnel were taking precautions and expressed hope that Daniels would be all right. Analyst Tom Brady commented on how difficult the scene was for Daniels’ teammates and said they would continue playing in his honor.
Daniels was transported to Grady Memorial Hospital for assessment. The supplied report did not provide a diagnosis or further details about his condition after he left the stadium. It also did not report whether he would return to the game or how long he might be unavailable.
Daniels was selected by Atlanta in the fourth round of the 2026 NFL Draft after playing at Oklahoma. The report said he had started each of the Falcons’ first six games of his rookie season. Before the game against Chicago, it listed him with 22 combined tackles, one sack and one pass defended over five games. The supplied material does not explain the difference between the stated six starts and the five-game statistical total.
