Eagles rookie Ja’Quinden Jackson taken to hospital after preseason kickoff injury

Philadelphia Eagles rookie running back Ja’Quinden Jackson was taken off the field in an ambulance after sustaining an injury on the opening kickoff of Saturday night’s preseason matchup with the New England Patriots. Jackson, who was on the kickoff unit, tackled Patriots player Lan Larison and then lay motionless. Team trainers and medical staff from both clubs responded immediately, securing a backboard and stretcher before moving him to a waiting ambulance. Players from both sides gathered at the sideline while Jackson was lifted onto the stretcher, and he was briefly seen raising his left arm before being loaded into the ambulance. The game resumed a few minutes later. The Eagles later confirmed that Jackson retained strength and movement in all extremities and was taken to a hospital for further evaluation. Backup quarterback Tanner McKee said the team was later informed that Jackson was responsive and moving, which helped calm concerns among teammates.

"A lot of different emotions just praying and hoping that he’s OK," McKee said. "Word was going around that he was talking, he was responsive and moving. That kind of got everybody to settle down a little bit and we know our teammate is doing OK."