The Kansas City Chiefs and Carolina Panthers are locked in a Week 12 battle with concerns for what it will mean in the standings for both teams going forward. However, a greater concern emerged near the end of the first half when Ja'Tavion Sanders went down with a scary injury to his head or neck.
Update: The broadcast of the game updated fans saying that the Panthers have changed the designation from a concussion to a neck injury as Sanders continues to be evaluated off-site at a local hospital.
The Carolina Panthers tight end came down with a catch from Panthers quarterback Bryce Young in the late second quarter when trying to get a score before going into halftime. Sanders landed awkwardly on his head/neck and laid there for quite some time while seeking medical attention.
Eventually Sanders was carted off the field.
Ja’Tavion Sanders #panthers
— Tom Christ, PT, DPT, OCS, FAAOMPT (@FantasyInjuryT) November 24, 2024
Lands straight on his head. Concern for a concussion and neck injury. Being stretchered off the field.
Hoping he will be okay 🙏🏻 pic.twitter.com/sJT9csCQie
The talented rookie tight end went down with a scary head/neck injury to close the first half.
The Panthers drafted Sanders in the 2024 NFL Draft with the 101st overall selection as a talented tight end with excellent hands coming out of the University of Texas.
A crowd of Panther teammates gathered around Sanders offering up hopeful words and prayers as he was being treated, but one Chiefs player stood among them. Rookie wide receiver Xavier Worthy, who played collegiately at Texas with Sanders, was among the concerned in Week 12.
Chiefs wide receiver Xavier Worthy looking on as his former Longhorns teammate, Ja’Tavion Sanders gets taken off the field. Prayers being sent up from across the stadium. pic.twitter.com/TGq8hBD6cM
— Darren Smith (@DarrenSmithNFL) November 24, 2024
Sanders has 26 catches for 253 receiving yards and 1 score coming into Week 12 against the Chiefs.