The opening kickoff, then the backboard
The first play of the night stopped it. Ja’Quinden Jackson went in on kickoff coverage against the New England Patriots, appeared to take a knee to the head while making the tackle, and did not get up.
Medical staff worked on the Philadelphia Eagles running back at Gillette Stadium before placing him on a backboard and a stretcher. He left the field in an ambulance and was taken to a local hospital for evaluation. The preseason game continued around an emptied-out atmosphere.
The update came later in the evening, and it was the one everybody wanted. The Eagles announced Jackson had strength and movement in all of his extremities.
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A clean scan and a statement from his agent
Damien Butler of CMV Sports, who represents Jackson, gave the fullest account in a statement reported by The Athletic.
“Tonight, above everything else, we thank God that Ja’Quinden is doing well after what was an incredibly frightening moment,” Butler said. “I just spoke with Ja’Quinden. He is awake, has full movement and use of all four limbs, and his CT scan came back negative.”
Butler credited the response on the field. “What happened tonight was frightening for everyone who witnessed it, and we are extremely grateful to the Philadelphia Eagles medical staff and all of the first responders who acted quickly and took great care of Ja’Quinden in those critical moments. We also sincerely appreciate all of the prayers, calls, messages and concern that have poured in for him tonight. With God’s continued blessings, Ja’Quinden looks forward to rejoining his teammates and getting back to work in training camp.”
Twelve days into a new roster
Jackson signed with Philadelphia on Aug. 10, less than two weeks before the incident. Jacksonville released him in May after he spent his rookie year on the Jaguars practice squad, having joined them as an undrafted free agent in 2025.
His college path ran through Utah, where he played 12 games between 2022 and 2023, then Arkansas, where he carried 149 times for 790 yards and 15 touchdowns. Special teams work is how players in his position make rosters in late August, which is exactly why he was on that kickoff.
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