Carolina Panthers rookie tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders was carted off the field during the Week 12 matchup with the Kansas City Chiefs after landing awkwardly on his head.
The play occurred with 24 seconds left in the first half and the Panthers were driving toward the score. Sanders caught a 10-yard pass from Bryce Young and was launched into the air on a hit by Trent McDuffie. The 6-foot-4, 253-pound tight end landed on his head and was unable to get off the bench after the collision, although he was moving.
Teammates quickly gathered around Sanders as he remained on the grass. The Athletic coaches placed him on a board and took him to the locker room. The tight end appeared to raise his arms as he was carried off the field.
Sanders was taken to a nearby hospital to evaluate his injury, according to Athletic’s Joe Person. The team confirmed he has movement in its extremities.
Carolina kicked a field goal after Sanders left the game, closing the margin to 20–9 at halftime. Before his injury, Sanders was the Panthers’ leading receiver with three catches for 49 yards.
Sanders was the Panthers’ fourth-round pick (No. 101 overall) in the 2024 NFL Draft outside of Texas. In three seasons with the Longhorns, he caught 99 passes for 1,295 yards and seven touchdowns. With Carolina, the rookie has 26 receptions for 253 yards and a touchdown in 10 games (five starts).