Kendal Daniels walked back onto the field with plenty to think about, and the Falcons rookie linebacker still ended up owning the biggest moments of Atlanta’s 29-20 win over the previously unbeaten San Francisco 49ers on Sunday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Just one week after a frightening neck injury against the Chicago Bears in Week 6, Daniels turned in a huge all-around effort in Atlanta’s first home win of the season. He led the team with 11 tackles, intercepted Brock Purdy and recovered a fumble as the Falcons handed the 49ers their first loss of the year.
The injury itself was as alarming as it gets. Daniels was carted off and taken to Grady Memorial Hospital after a knee-to-head collision against Chicago.
He stayed down for nearly eight minutes before medical staff immobilized him and moved him for evaluation. Tests later showed no structural damage or concussion.
Even after he returned to Atlanta’s facility under his own power, the pain lingered. Maason Smith said Daniels was in a lot of pain, and by Monday, Daniels reportedly had trouble turning his neck from side to side. Still, he got back to practice on Wednesday, finished the week, and was cleared to play against San Francisco.
The rookie admitted the incident was still in the back of his mind before the game.
“I wasn't scared, but I definitely thought about it,” he said. “I haven't been in full pads all week.
What if I'm not OK? But once I got my first tackle in pregame, I was good.”
Once the game got rolling, Daniels looked anything but tentative. Late in the fourth quarter, with Atlanta clinging to a 26-20 lead, he jumped a Purdy throw intended for Jordan Watkins, picked it off and returned it 29 yards. That turnover set up Nick Folk’s field goal and pushed the Falcons in front 29-20 with under two minutes left.
Then Daniels delivered again. After Jessie Bates III jarred the ball loose from George Kittle, Daniels was there to fall on it and shut down what was left of San Francisco’s comeback.
He also took on more responsibility with Divine Deablo out because of a forearm injury, wearing the green dot and relaying defensive calls in just his seventh career game.
Atlanta’s defense forced four turnovers overall, and Daniels was rewarded with a game ball after the win. Looking back on the stretch from injury scare to game-winning plays, he called it the craziest week of his life.
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