CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Panthers rookie tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders sustained a neck injury Sunday after landing on his head following a 10-yard catch late in the first half of Carolina's 30-27 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.
The fourth-round pick out of Texas showed some movement in his arms as medical staff attended to him. He was carted off the field supported by a backboard and transported to a hospital before being released Sunday afternoon.
Coach Dave Canales said that Sanders was still being evaluated by the team.
Sanders made the catch near the right sideline at the Kansas City 11-yard line and was upended by cornerback Trent McDuffie. He landed squarely on his head-neck area.
Teammates and coaches gathered around Sanders as medical staff attended to him.
Carolina settled for a field goal and went into halftime trailing the two-time defending Super Bowl champions 20-9.