The incident occurred with just 24 seconds left in the first half while the Panthers were attempting to score. Sanders had just caught a 10-yard pass from quarterback Bryce Young when he was hit by Chiefs' Trent McDuffie, causing him to flip in the air and land on his head.

Following the collision, Sanders remained on the sideline, unable to get up. However, there was a brief sign of hope as he was seen moving while down. His teammates quickly surrounded him as athletic trainers rushed to his side, meticulously placing him on a backboard before carting him off to the locker room. While being taken away, Sanders appeared to lift his arms, providing a glimmer of optimism.

Joe Person of The Athletic reported that Sanders was taken to a nearby hospital for further evaluation. Panthers head coach Dave Canales later provided an encouraging update, stating that Sanders had been discharged from Carolinas Medical Center. Despite this positive news, Sanders will continue to be evaluated for a concussion and neck injury. The team has confirmed that he has movement in his extremities.

Despite the emotional setback, the game continued, and Carolina managed to kick a field goal shortly after Sanders's exit, narrowing the score to 20-9 at halftime. Before his injury, Sanders had been a crucial player for the Panthers, leading the team with three catches for 49 yards in that game.

Selected in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL Draft out of Texas, Sanders had already made a significant impact in his rookie season. With 26 receptions for 253 yards and a touchdown over 10 games, including five starts, Sanders has proven to be a valuable asset to the team. His college career at Texas was equally impressive; in three seasons, he amassed 99 catches for 1,295 yards and seven touchdowns.

The entire Panthers community hopes for a swift and full recovery for Sanders, whose promising career has only just begun.