Cardinals WR Andre Baccellia Suffers Neck Injury, Will Travel Home with Team
GLENDALE - Late in the second quarter of Sunday’s game, following a Houston Texans field goal, Cardinals wide receiver Andre Baccellia took the ensuing kickoff and returned it 26 yards. It looked like a routine play - until it wasn’t.
After going down on the return, Baccellia didn’t get back up. The stadium quickly fell silent as medical personnel rushed to his side. Within moments, a stretcher was brought out - a sight no one ever wants to see on an NFL field.
Players from both sidelines, Cardinals and Texans alike, gathered around in solidarity as Baccellia was loaded onto the stretcher. As he was being taken off the field, the 28-year-old managed to lift a thumbs-up - a small but powerful gesture that said everything the crowd needed to hear: I’m still fighting.
Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon addressed the situation after the game, confirming that Baccellia was taken to a local hospital for further evaluation. The good news?
He’s doing well enough to fly back with the team Sunday night - a huge relief after such a scary moment. Given the nature of neck injuries in football, that kind of update is about as positive as it gets.
While Arizona’s 40-20 loss to Houston in Week 15 was a tough one to swallow on the field, the news about Baccellia’s condition offered a much-needed silver lining. In a game that’s often defined by scores and stats, moments like this remind us what really matters - the health and well-being of the players who put their bodies on the line every week.
For now, Baccellia’s recovery becomes the priority. And for the Cardinals, getting to bring him home with the team is a win that goes far beyond the scoreboard.