Cardinals WR Andre Baccellia Suffers Scary Neck Injury vs. Texans, Leaves Field Alert and Moving
The Arizona Cardinals have been no stranger to the injury bug this season, and Sunday’s game against the Houston Texans brought more tough moments for a team already battling through a long list of setbacks. This time, it was wide receiver Andre Baccellia and running back Bam Knight who went down - with Baccellia’s injury drawing immediate concern from both sidelines.
Andre Baccellia #Cardinals has moved his arms and did a thumbs up while being carted to locker room @KPRC2 https://t.co/704OYS7JBt
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) December 14, 2025
Just before halftime, Baccellia was returning a kickoff when he was brought down by a crowd of Texans defenders after a 26-yard return. It wasn’t a particularly vicious hit, but the aftermath was alarming.
Play is halted at NRG, lot of concern as #Cardinals Andre Baccellia is down on field @KPRC2 pic.twitter.com/iK0grGnC4D
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) December 14, 2025
Players from both teams quickly gathered nearby, clearly shaken as Baccellia remained down on the turf. That kind of reaction from fellow players - especially in the heat of competition - is always telling.
Everyone knew something wasn’t right.
Medical personnel rushed onto the field, and after several tense moments, Baccellia was carefully placed on a stretcher and carted off. The good news: he was able to move his arms and flashed a thumbs-up to the crowd as he left the field - a reassuring sign in an otherwise scary moment.
Shortly after, Cardinals media relations official Mark Dalton provided an update, confirming Baccellia had suffered a neck injury and would not return to the game. More importantly, Dalton noted that Baccellia was alert and had full movement in all his extremities. He was transported to a local hospital in Houston for further evaluation.
While the Cardinals were already trailing in the standings heading into the matchup, sitting at 3-10, the bigger concern in the moment was clearly Baccellia’s health. Injuries like this transcend records and rivalries - when a player goes down with a potential neck issue, the entire stadium holds its breath.
Running back Bam Knight also exited the game and was carted to the locker room, adding another layer to the Cardinals’ injury woes. But Baccellia’s situation was the most concerning, and the team - along with fans - will now await further updates on his condition.
For a Cardinals squad that’s been grinding through a tough season, the hope is that Baccellia’s early signs of mobility are the beginning of a positive recovery.