'Scary stuff': NFL rocked by star's frightening incident
San Francisco 49ers running back Trenton Cannon was rushed to hospital after taking a nasty hit to the head during the 49ers clash with the Seattle Seahawks on Monday Morning (AEDT).
Cannon, who is one of the 49ers’ key special teams players, was running downfield to cover the opening kickoff of the game from Australian punter Mitch Wishnowsky.
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As Cannon was closing in to make a tackle on Seahawks returner DeeJay Dallas, he collided with teammate Talanoa Hufanga who was attempting to tackle Dallas from the other side. However, Dallas eluded both players and Cannon’s head came into contact with Hufanga’s left thigh, causing his neck to jolt back violently.
prayers up for Trenton Cannon on this scary hit pic.twitter.com/MmnXkfBEr8
— alex (@highlghtheaven) December 5, 2021
T’s and P’s up for Trenton Cannon. Scary stuff
— Matt O'Leary (@MattOLearyNY) December 5, 2021
Cannon remained motionless on the ground immediately after the hit, as the game was brought to a halt while he was tended to by medical staff.
The 27-year-old was placed in a neck brace before being lifted up on a stretcher and loaded into a waiting ambulance.
Trenton Cannon has been taken in the ambulance. He was moving his arms, so hopefully that's a good sign! 🙏🙏 pic.twitter.com/2OFColyHvb
— ✯✯✯✯✯ (@FTB_Vids_YT) December 5, 2021
Somber scene as #49ers Trenton Cannon taken off field by ambulance pic.twitter.com/vw43IjMRHf
— Cam Inman (@CamInman) December 5, 2021
Hate to see stuff like this in the SF/SEA game. Thoughts are with Trenton Cannon.
— Julian Edelman (@Edelman11) December 5, 2021
San Francisco 49ers feel early injury loss of Trenton Cannon
Speaking after the game, 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan updated reporters on the state of Cannon’s health, revealing he was in a stable condition and would spend the night in hospital after being diagnosed with a concussion.
“Concussions are obviously very concerning, but all the stuff you’re really worried about, he’s been cleared,” Shanahan said.
“He remembers it all, but with the concussion, they’ll keep him overnight for that.”
Update: Trenton Cannon is in stable condition and will stay the night at the hospital 🙏 https://t.co/9l2sTmRSC0
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) December 6, 2021
Losing Cannon, who also serves as the kick returner for the 49ers, proved costly as his replacement Travis Benjamin fumbled on a kickoff return to start the second half.
Shanahan highlighted San Francisco’s poor special teams play as one of the key factors in their 30-23 loss.
“Not good enough today, at all,” Shanahan said.
“We gave up a fake punt for whatever it was - 70 yards it seemed like.
“We had a turnover from our kick returner. It obviously hurt losing Trenton, but Travis has got to hold onto that ball when he comes in.
“We also gave up a big kick return at the end of the second quarter that led to a touchdown and we missed an extra point, so we’ve gotta play a hell of a lot better.”
One of the few positives for the 49ers’ special teams unit was the punting of Wishnowsky, who had three kicks for an average of 47.5 yards, with long of 60 yards.
San Francisco now sit in third place in the NFC West with a 6-6 record and their hopes of securing a wildcard spot in the NFL playoffs hanging by a thread.
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