Panthers TE Ja’Tavion Sanders injured after landing on head

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  • David Newton, ESPN staff writerNovember 24, 2024, 2:48 PM ET

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      David Newton is an NFL reporter at ESPN covering the Carolina Panthers. Newton began covering Carolina in 1995 and joined ESPN in 2006 as a NASCAR reporter before joining NFL Nation in 2013. You can follow Newton on Twitter at @DNewtonespn.

CHARLOTTE, NC – Carolina Panthers rookie tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders was transported to a local hospital after landing on his head following a 10-yard catch late in the first half of Sunday’s game against the Kansas City Chiefs.

The fourth-round pick out of Texas showed some movement in his arms as the medical staff tended to him. He was driven off the track supported by a back plate.

The Panthers said he has a neck injury and will not return to the game.

Sanders made a grab near the right sideline at the Kansas City 11-yard line and was turned up by cornerback Trent McDuffie. He landed right on his head-neck area.

Teammates and coaches gathered around Sanders as medical staff tended to him.

Carolina settled for a field goal and went into halftime trailing the two defending Super Bowl champions 20-9.