Ja'Tavion Sanders injury update: Panthers TE transported to hospital after scary landing vs. Chiefs

On Sunday, Carolina Panthers tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders suffered a neck injury in the second quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs. Sanders hauled in a ball on the sideline before being hit low, causing him to flip and land on his head.

Sanders didn’t get up to his feet after the hit and was carted off the field on a stretcher. During the second half of the game, NFL writer Darin Gantt reported that Sanders was taken to the hospital for further evaluation and will not return to the game.

Before leaving the game, Sanders was the Panthers’ leading receiver, boasting three catches for 49 yards. Since being drafted this offseason, Sanders has made immediate contributions to the Panthers. The former Texas standout entered the game on Sunday with 26 catches for 253 yards and a touchdown.

The Panthers selected Ja’Tavion Sanders with the No. 101 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Sanders spent three seasons at Texas, where he made 39 appearances. In his final season with the Longhorns, Sanders notched 45 receptions for 682 yards and two scores.

Earlier this season, Panthers offensive coordinator Brad Idzik praised Sanders’ talents.

“He’s confident. He’s doing natural football adjustments,” Idzik said. “He sits in the soft spot as Bryce [Young] is scrambling around, and Bryce finds him.

“The after-the-catch thing is real… The more times you show you’re going to do something special after the catch, the more apt the quarterback is to get the ball into your hands.”

Commanders RB Brian Robinson suffers lower-body injury

Sanders isn’t the only NFL player battling injury on Sunday. Washington Commanders running back Brian Robinson exited Sunday’s Week 12 home game against the Dallas Cowboys after suffering an ankle injury in the first quarter. 

Robinson’s right leg got rolled under Cowboys defensive lineman Osa Odighizuwa in what looked to be a serious injury. Robinson was able to walk off the field under his own power before heading to the locker room. Washington announced Robinson as questionable to return.

He came out of the locker room and returned to the sideline later in the game.