Falcons’ Kendal Daniels cleared for practice after Sunday neck scare

Atlanta Falcons linebacker Kendal Daniels has been cleared to practice after being carried off the field on a stretcher during Sunday's game against the Chicago Bears. Kevin Stefanski said Daniels is not in the concussion protocol and would be allowed to move around at Wednesday's session. That is a significant change in availability just three days after the alarming scene on the field.

The injury occurred on a tackle of Bears tight end Colston Loveland, when Daniels' facemask struck Loveland's knee. Medical staff attended to Daniels for several minutes, immobilized his neck and took him off on a cart. Atlanta ruled him out for the remainder of that game with a neck injury. The practice clearance indicates a better near-term outlook than the initial scene suggested, but it should not be confused with a formal ruling that he will play in the Falcons' next game.

Stefanski said the team would see how Daniels progressed through the week after he practiced. The meaningful news today is that Daniels can return to the field and is not under the concussion protocol, despite the precautions required immediately after Sunday's collision.