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Huffman Sports Wire — Breaking News Sunday, October 18, 2026
Falcons Rookie Linebacker Kendal Daniels Carted Off With Neck Injury, Taken to Hospital
Atlanta Falcons rookie linebacker Kendal Daniels was carted off the field on a stretcher during the third quarter of Sunday's game against the Chicago Bears at Mercedes-Benz Stadium after suffering a neck injury. The Falcons announced that Daniels was alert and had movement in all of his extremities, and he was taken to Grady Memorial Hospital for further evaluation. Atlanta ruled Daniels out for the remainder of the game.
The injury happened with 8:48 left in the third quarter and Chicago leading 21-7. Daniels dived in to tackle Bears tight end Colston Loveland after a completion from quarterback Caleb Williams, and his facemask collided with Loveland's knee. Daniels stayed down on the field for several minutes while medical personnel stabilized his neck and cut away his jersey, and teammates knelt nearby as players from both teams gathered around him. Daniels was strapped to a backboard and taken off on a cart, and he made a fist with his left hand as he left the field. Play resumed after an extended delay.
Daniels had been serving as the Atlanta defensive play-caller, wearing the green dot helmet, because fellow linebacker Divine Deablo left the game earlier with an arm injury. Linebacker Josh Woods took over the play-calling duties after Daniels went out. The Falcons have now lost both linebackers who wear the green dot and call the defensive plays in the same game.
The 23-year-old Daniels was a fourth-round draft pick this year out of Oklahoma, where he transferred in 2025 after playing at Oklahoma State. He has started every game this season for Atlanta and entered Sunday with 22 tackles, plus 1 sack and 2 tackles for loss. The Falcons have not provided a further update on his condition beyond the initial announcement, and any timeline for his return will depend on the hospital evaluation.
Sources: - [Associated Press via TSN](https://www.tsn.ca/nfl/article/falcons-daniels-immobilized-carted-off-after-collision-vs-bears-n1-50212250/) - [USA TODAY](https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/falcons/2026/10/18/kendal-daniels-injury-update-falcons-carted-off/92320424007/) - [NBC Sports](https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/falcons-lb-kendal-daniels-taken-off-field-on-stretcher) - [Falcons Wire](https://thefalconswire.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/falcons/2026/10/18/falcons-kendal-daniels-injury/92320301007/)