Kendal Daniels seals Falcons' win with fourth-quarter INT - ESPN

ATLANTA — Rookie linebacker Kendal Daniels had the game-sealing interception to help the Atlanta Falcons beat the previously undefeated San Francisco 49ers 29-20 on Sunday, one week after he was immobilized by medical personnel and rushed to Grady Hospital.

Last Sunday against the Chicago Bears, Daniels laid on the turf for nearly eight minutes after taking a knee to the head before departing the field on a cart. Seven days later, he led the Falcons with nine solo tackles and had a fumble recovery in Atlanta's victory.

«It's been the craziest week of my life,» Daniels said. «I've never not walked off the field after an injury. So, mentally, I had to be prepared and going back home and just making sure I was OK mentally more than anything and not playing timid, but I've never not gotten up from an injury. So, being stretched off the field ­-- I won't let it happen again. It was a bad feeling, and I'm blessed to be able to play this week.»

Falcons head coach Kevin Stefanski called the whole thing «remarkable.»

Daniels didn't end up with any structural damage nor a concussion after getting hurt against the Bears in Week 6. He was actually back in the home locker room after the game, walking around under his own power. Daniels was in pain, though. Falcons defensive tackle Maason Smith said Daniels was so sore when he got back to the team's facility Monday that he couldn't move his neck to either side.

By Wednesday, though, Daniels was able to practice. He was listed as questionable on the injury report, but not only did he start Sunday, he wore the green dot, calling plays for the Falcons' defense. Veteran linebacker Divine Deablo would normally have that role, but he was out with a forearm injury.

«And then, oh, by the way,