Falcons injury update: Kendal Daniels out of hospital after neck scare; Deablo, Bowman hurt vs. Bears

Kendal Daniels left Mercedes-Benz Stadium on a cart on Sunday and came back on his own feet. The Atlanta Falcons rookie linebacker was taken to Grady Memorial Hospital with a neck injury in the third quarter of the 31-23 loss to the Chicago Bears. He was released the same day and returned to the stadium, and was walking unassisted when he joined his teammates after the final whistle.

That was the best news of a bruising afternoon for Atlanta’s defense. Divine Deablo, Billy Bowman Jr. and Avieon Terrell were also hurt, and the Falcons, now 2-4, have six days before an unbeaten San Francisco team comes to town.

What happened to Kendal Daniels

Chicago was up two touchdowns, 21-7, with 8:48 to play in the third period when Daniels went low to stop tight end Colston Loveland. His helmet struck Loveland’s leg near the knee, and he stayed down. The medical staff spent several minutes securing his neck and body before placing him on a board and lifting him onto a cart. Players from both teams knelt, and the Atlanta bench emptied onto the field. Daniels raised a clenched left hand as he was driven off.

Late in the game the club said he was alert, had movement in all of his extremities and had been sent to the hospital for further evaluation.

Kendal Daniels is alert and has movement in all his extremities. He was taken to Grady Memorial Hospital for further evaluation

— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) October 18, 2026

Michael Penix Jr. said Daniels was in good spirits and sent a message back to the sideline: “Y’all go finish this off.” Head coach Kevin Stefanski said the early reports were good. “Kendal is a kid we all love, we all respect,” Stefanski said.

The club has not announced a formal diagnosis or a timeline. Daniels, a fourth-round pick out of Oklahoma, has started every game this season and wears the green-dot helmet as the defense’s play caller. Josh Woods took over the radio after he left. Whether he can practice this week is not yet known.

The rest of the injury list

• LB Divine Deablo (arm): hurt in the first half and ruled out late in the second quarter. No details on the severity have been given.
• DB Billy Bowman Jr. (hamstring): strained the hamstring in the fourth quarter and was listed as doubtful to return.
• CB Avieon Terrell (concussion check, stinger): evaluated for a head injury late in the second quarter and also dealt with a stinger on his right side. He was back on the field after halftime.

Losing Daniels and Deablo in the same game left Atlanta thin at inside linebacker, the spot that runs the defense. Cornerback C.J. Henderson (groin) had already been ruled out before kickoff.

What comes next

The Falcons host the San Francisco 49ers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday, October 25, at 1:00 p.m. EDT. The first practice report of the week, due Wednesday, will be the first official word on Daniels, Deablo and Bowman. Follow every status on the WhyNFL injury report.