Panthers rookie TE Ja'Tavion Sanders taken to hospital after landing on head

Carolina Panthers rookie tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders needed to be carted off of the field during the team's Week 12 clash with the Kansas City Chiefs.

The Panthers were driving down the field in the final seconds of the first half when Sanders caught a 10-yard pass from quarterback Bryce Young. As the tight end leaned forward to secure a first down on his reception, he was upended by Chiefs cornerback Trent McDuffie and landed on the top of his helmet.

Sanders was able to move around after the tackle but remained on the ground before medical personnel came to attend to him. The trainers brought out the backboard and cart for the rookie and carted him off of the field.

Ja'Tavion Sanders injury update

Sanders exited the Panthers' Week 12 game against the Chiefs late in the second quarter after landing on his head during a tackle.

About 20 minutes later, the team designated Sanders out for the game with a neck injury. According to Panthers writer Darin Gantt, Sanders was taken to the hospital for further evaluation.

Sanders was discharged from the hospital on Sunday evening and has movement in all extremities. Head coach Dave Canales provided an update after the game. "He's still under evaluation. But certainly a positive sign. He’s coming back here to the facility right now [from hospital]."

Panthers TE depth chart

With Sanders out for the remainder of the game, here's how the Panthers' depth chart looks at tight end for the remainder of the Week 12 matchup:

• Tommy Tremble

• Feleipe Franks

Tremble was the Panthers' third-round pick in 2021. Franks is a former quarterback that the Falcons signed as an undrafted free agent in 2021. He transitioned to tight end in 2022 and signed with the Panthers last offseason.

This story will be updated.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Ja'Tavion Sanders injury update: Panthers rookie TE taken to hospital