Kendal Daniels’ return seals Falcons’ 29-20 win over 49ers
ATLANTA — By Will McFadden, Senior Reporter
Rookie linebacker Kendal Daniels returned to the field Oct. 25, 2026, one week after being stretchered off with a neck injury and played a decisive role in the Atlanta Falcons’ 29-20 victory over the previously unbeaten San Francisco 49ers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Daniels intercepted a Brock Purdy pass late in the fourth quarter and recovered a forced fumble on San Francisco’s next possession to halt the 49ers’ comeback attempt and help preserve the win. Those turnovers were part of a Falcons defense that forced four takeaways on the afternoon.
On a third down play late in the fourth, Purdy targeted wide receiver Jordan Watkins and did not see Daniels drop into the throwing lane, allowing Daniels to snatch the ball and end the drive. The takeaway gave Atlanta the chance to close out its first home victory of the season. Defensive tackle Maason Smith praised Daniels, saying, “I was super impressed,” and compared the play to some of the best he has seen since entering the league. Smith said Daniels was “all around today,” making plays and flying around.
Daniels had been evaluated at Grady Memorial Hospital after being loaded onto a stretcher following a neck injury a week earlier. He returned to the practice field Wednesday and logged a full week of work before being cleared for the game. Head coach Kevin Stefanski said the staff evaluated Daniels and treated his symptoms and that Daniels “kept feeling better and better throughout the week” and “had a good week of practice.”
With veteran linebacker Divine Deablo sidelined by a forearm injury suffered against the Chicago Bears, Daniels assumed the green dot role and became the primary communicator for the Falcons’ defense. Stefanski said the rookie’s ability to take on that responsibility in his seventh career game was “unbelievable” and that the staff awarded him a game ball. Daniels led Atlanta with 11 tackles, nine solo, and also had a tackle for loss, a pass deflection and the two turnovers, while safety Jessie Bates III forced the fumble Daniels recovered and also recorded an interception earlier in the game.
The emotional arc of Daniels’ week resonated throughout the Falcons’ locker room after the win. Cornerback A.J. Terrell Jr. said Daniels thanked the team for supporting him, and wide receiver Drake London called Daniels’ play “Resiliency to its fullest.” Daniels credited veterans such as Bates for calming him as he executed defensive calls and made plays when it mattered most.
NFL Sports Blog Take
Kendal Daniels turned a frightening in-game injury into a defining performance that swung a tight game in Atlanta’s favor within seven days. His interception and recovered fumble were critical in preserving the Falcons’ 29-20 win and contributed to a defense that forced four turnovers against a previously unbeaten 49ers team. Daniels’ rapid clearance, full week of practice and willingness to assume the green dot role offer a concrete example of the team’s resiliency and the value of depth when starters are sidelined. The staff’s decision to give him a game ball underscored his immediate impact and leadership.