Carolina Panthers tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders was taken to a hospital to be evaluated for a neck injury following a tackle late in the first half of Sunday’s home game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
As Sanders was brought down near the sideline after a 10-yard reception, he was flipped upside down and landed directly on the top of his helmet. After receiving attention from the team’s medical staff, he was strapped to a backboard and taken off the field on a cart with 40 seconds remaining in the half.
On the CBS broadcast following halftime, Panthers head coach Dave Canales said Sanders had movement in all his extremities, while extreme precaution was taken because of back tightness. CBS reported he was being examined for a concussion before later amending that to a neck injury.
The 21-year-old rookie out of Texas had a team-leading three receptions for the Panthers at the half for 49 yards. In 11 games this season, Sanders has 29 receptions for 302 yards and a touchdown.
Sanders was a fourth-round selection in the NFL draft in April.