Former Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Leo Chenal was taken off the field on a stretcher with a scary neck injury in the Washington Commanders' Week 3 win over the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday. As the crowd chanted his name, Chenal gave a fist pump while being taken away.
The entire Commanders roster and staff is on the field gathered around Leo Chenal. The ILB looked to lead with his head on a tackle attempt. He’s being placed on a stretcher and carted off the field.
— Grant Paulsen (@GrantPaulsen) September 27, 2026
He has been moving his legs. pic.twitter.com/5NlcP4dOa3
After the game, Commanders head coach Dan Quinn spoke to the media and gave the latest update he had.
"He got to the hospital. He does have feeling in his extremities. [He's] undergoing further testing as we go through the night, but we're definitely thinking of him. He's a great teammate. We love him. So, you know, anytime a guy gets banged up like that, you're thinking of him and pulling for him as much as you can."
Quinn's mention of "further testing" means fans in both Washington and K.C. can expect more news in the coming hours and days. It's the second straight week of a serious injury for Washington, after starting quarterback Jayden Daniels left with a dislocated elbow in Week 2.
For Chiefs Kingdom, this one hits close to home. From 2022 to 2025, Chenal was one of the most important defenders in Kansas City, a wild card in the second level whom Steve Spagnuolo used in myriad ways to frustrate offenses. The results spoke for themselves: three Super Bowl appearances and two titles in his four seasons.
The Chiefs selected Chenal in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft, and he became an instant contributor for a team that won the Super Bowl in his first season. He helped build a new dynasty as a linebacker who was strong against the run, could spy the quarterback, and could blitz effectively. Chenal finished his four seasons in K.C. with 233 total tackles, 16 quarterback hits, 7 sacks, 6 pass deflections, and 1 interception.
When Chenal left in free agency for Washington, Chiefs fans felt the sting of his departure, gratitude for what he'd given them, and happiness to see him earn a three-year deal and a bigger role in Quinn's defense. Now they're rooting for him again in a different way.
Add us as a preferred source on Google