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Eagles give encouraging Ja’Quinden Jackson update
Philadelphia Eagles running back Ja'Quinden Jackson was taken to a hospital after a scary injury on the opening kickoff of Saturday's preseason game against the New England Patriots. The team said he had movement in all extremities, and his agent later reported he was awake with full limb movement and a negative CT scan. Jackson was released from the hospital and traveled home with the team.
Eagles' Jackson released from hospital after preseason injury
Philadelphia Eagles running back Ja'Quinden Jackson was released from a hospital and traveled home with the team after being injured on the opening kickoff of Saturday night's preseason game against the New England Patriots, the Associated Press reported.
Jackson, 24, was making a tackle on Patriots returner Lan Larison when he went down and lay motionless. Medical personnel from both teams attended to him, and he was placed on a backboard and stretcher before being loaded into an ambulance that came onto the field at Gillette Stadium. Players from both teams knelt near the sideline as Jackson was strapped in, and he was seen briefly raising his left arm before being taken away.
The Eagles announced during the first quarter that Jackson had strength and movement in all extremities and was being taken to a local hospital for further evaluation. Early Sunday morning, the team said he returned to Philadelphia with the rest of the squad.
Jackson's agent, Damien Butler, issued a statement saying Jackson was "awake, has full movement and use of all four limbs, and his CT scan came back negative." Butler also expressed gratitude to the Eagles' medical staff and first responders "who acted quickly and took great care of Ja'Quinden in those critical moments."
Background and roster context
Jackson, an undrafted free agent out of Arkansas in 2025, spent his rookie season on the Jacksonville Jaguars' practice squad before signing with the Eagles on Aug. 10. He was brought in to help with running back depth after injuries to Dameon Pierce and Elijah Mitchell, according to multiple reports. In college, Jackson ran for 2,148 yards and 29 touchdowns, including a final season at Arkansas after three years at Utah. Heavy. reported that he rushed for 790 yards and 15 touchdowns in 2024 and earned second-team All-SEC honors.
Reaction from players and coaches
Eagles backup quarterback Tanner McKee said the team was told postgame that Jackson was OK. "A lot of different emotions just praying and hoping that he's OK," McKee told the Associated Press. "Word was going around that he was talking, he was responsive and moving. That kind of got everybody to settle down a little bit."
Running back Carson Steele, who had a 20-yard touchdown catch in the fourth quarter, said, "It's always a tough thing to [see] and we're always praying for him." Eagles coach Mike Vrabel, according to boston.com, sent thoughts and prayers to Jackson and said he hoped everything was okay. Several Patriots players, including Efton Chism III, also offered prayers.
Injury details
Multiple reports described the sequence: Jackson dove at Larison's legs to make the tackle and took a knee to the head. He was knocked out and both arms went into a fencing position—a response sometimes seen after head trauma. The entire Eagles sideline came onto the field as trainers worked, and the crowd cheered as he was loaded into the ambulance. The game was delayed a few minutes before play resumed.
The scene recalled a similar incident in 2023 involving Patriots cornerback Isaiah Bolden, as noted by boston.com.
Roster move
The Eagles later waived Jackson with an injury designation and an injury settlement, and released safety J.T. Gray, according to NBC Sports and Sports Illustrated. Jackson will have 24 hours for another team to claim him; if no claim, he will become a free agent once the settlement is finalized. Gray, a special teams standout who spent seven years with the Saints before splitting 2025 between the Buccaneers and Broncos, was released as the team trims its roster.
Other preseason takeaways
Separately, defensive tackle Ty Robinson continued his strong preseason with two sacks and three quarterback hits against the Patriots, according to The Philadelphia Inquirer and Sports Illustrated. Robinson, a 2025 fourth-round pick out of Nebraska, now has three sacks this preseason and appears to have secured a roster spot after being buried on the depth chart a year ago.
Will Shipley had nine carries for 51 yards in the first quarter, and Andy Dalton completed 3 of 10 passes for 44 yards with a 45.2 passer rating, according to Sports Illustrated. Carson Steele finished with six catches for 84 yards.
The Eagles lost the game 24-21.
How each outlet told it
Associated Press
Framing: The headline notes he was taken off in an ambulance, focusing on the incident. — Neutral with a hint of relief through McKee's quote.
Facts Included:
Jackson was taken off the field in an ambulance after being injured on the opening kickoff.
The Eagles announced he had strength and movement in all extremities.
He made the tackle on Lan Larison but laid motionless after.
Players from both teams knelt as he was strapped onto a stretcher.
He was seen briefly raising his left arm.
Backup quarterback Tanner McKee said they were told Jackson was OK and that he was talking and responsive.
McKee was quoted: 'A lot of different emotions just praying and hoping that he’s OK... Word was going around that he was talking, he was responsive and moving.'
Framing: The headline notes he had movement after being taken off, focusing on the positive update. — Neutral with a hint of relief through McKee's quote.
Facts Included:
Jackson was taken off the field in an ambulance after being injured on the opening kickoff.
The Eagles announced he had strength and movement in all extremities.
He made the tackle on Lan Larison but laid motionless after.
Players from both teams knelt as he was strapped onto a stretcher.
He was seen briefly raising his left arm.
Backup quarterback Tanner McKee said they were told Jackson was OK and that he was talking and responsive.
McKee was quoted: 'A lot of different emotions just praying and hoping that he’s OK... Word was going around that he was talking, he was responsive and moving.'
Framing: The headline notes he had movement after being taken off, focusing on the positive update. — Neutral with a hint of relief through McKee's quote.
Facts Included:
Jackson was taken off the field in an ambulance after being injured on the opening kickoff.
The Eagles announced he had strength and movement in all extremities.
He made the tackle on Lan Larison but laid motionless after.
Players from both teams knelt as he was strapped onto a stretcher.
He was seen briefly raising his left arm.
Backup quarterback Tanner McKee said they were told Jackson was OK and that he was talking and responsive.
McKee was quoted: 'A lot of different emotions just praying and hoping that he’s OK... Word was going around that he was talking, he was responsive and moving.'
Framing: The headline emphasizes the injury update, reassuring readers that the player is doing well after a scare. — Relieved and grateful, as seen in the agent's statement: 'we thank God that Ja’Quinden is doing well.'
Facts Included:
Ja'Quinden Jackson went down with an injury seconds into the August 22 preseason game against the New England Patriots.
After the opening kick, Jackson left the field in an ambulance after hitting his head.
Jackson's agent, Damien Butler, announced that Jackson is awake, has full movement and use of all four limbs, and his CT scan came back negative.
Butler expressed gratitude to the Eagles medical staff and first responders.
Jackson's journey included time at Texas, Utah, and Arkansas, with 790 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns in his final college season.
Jackson signed with the Eagles after being undrafted in 2025 and spending time with the Jaguars practice squad.
Framing: The headline focuses on the injury and the player being carted off, implying severity. — Concerned, with a focus on the team's reaction and roster implications.
Facts Included:
Jackson was taken off the field after being injured on the opening kickoff.
The Eagles announced he had strength and movement in all extremities and was taken to a local hospital.
He was signed by the Eagles two weeks prior.
He replaced Elijah Mitchell, who was injured and released.
The Eagles have other running backs like Saquon Barkley, Tank Bigsby, and Will Shipley.
Jackson had a strong college career, including second-team All-SEC honors with Arkansas.
Framing: The headline emphasizes that Jackson was immobilized and removed by ambulance, setting a serious tone. — Serious and concerned, as shown by the use of 'stretchered' and 'fencing position.'
Facts Included:
Jackson was stretchered into an ambulance on the field after the opening kickoff.
He went into a fencing position during the play.
The Eagles announced he had strength and movement in all extremities and was taken to a hospital.
Early Sunday morning, the Eagles said Jackson returned to Philadelphia with the team.
Running back Carson Steele was quoted: 'It’s always a tough thing to [see] and we’re always praying for him... But he was supposed to be out there a lot tonight, too, as well. He’s a great athlete, great player.'
Jackson signed with the Eagles on Aug. 10, 2025, was an undrafted free agent out of Arkansas, and spent his rookie season on the Jaguars practice squad.
Framing: The headline notes he left in an ambulance, emphasizing the seriousness of the injury. — Neutral and factual, describing events without emotional language.
Facts Included:
Jackson was injured covering the opening kickoff and left in an ambulance.
He was in on the tackle of Patriots returner Lan Larison and immediately went into the fencing response.
The entire Philadelphia roster came onto the field as trainers attended to Jackson.
The Eagles said Jackson had strength and movement in all extremities and was taken to a hospital.
Jackson was an undrafted free agent out of Arkansas in 2025 and spent last season on the Jaguars practice squad.
Framing: The headline describes the injury as 'frightening' and notes he left in an ambulance, adding emotional weight. — Concerned, as indicated by 'frightening' and the description of the crowd cheering.
Facts Included:
Jackson was taken off the field in an ambulance after the first play of the game.
His head area collided with Lan Larison's while making a tackle.
The entire Eagles sideline came out to check on him.
Framing: The headline describes the injury as 'frightening' and notes he left in an ambulance, adding emotional weight. — Concerned, as indicated by 'frightening' and the description of the crowd cheering.
Facts Included:
Jackson was taken off the field in an ambulance after the first play.
His head area collided with Lan Larison's while making a tackle.
The entire Eagles sideline came out to check on him.
It appears to be a neck/head injury.
The crowd cheered for him as he left the field.
The Eagles signed Jackson two weeks ago after injuries to Dameon Pierce and Elijah Mitchell.
Framing: The headline focuses on player performances in the first half, without mentioning Jackson's injury. — Analytical and upbeat, focusing on positives.
Facts Included:
Ty Robinson had two sacks and three quarterback hits against the Patriots.
Will Shipley had nine carries for 51 yards in the first quarter.
Andy Dalton completed 3 of 10 passes for 44 yards with a 45.2 rating.
Carson Steele had a 20-yard touchdown catch in the fourth quarter.
The Eagles won the game 24-21.
Markell Bell, Willie Lampkin, and Jake Majors were effective blockers on the offensive line.
The Eagles' second-team offense and defense performed well overall.
Framing: The headline announces the roster moves, highlighting Jackson's waiver and Gray's release. — Neutral and factual.
Facts Included:
The Eagles waived running back Ja'Quinden Jackson with an injury settlement and released safety J.T. Gray.
Jackson left the team's preseason game against the Patriots on a stretcher and in an ambulance after an injury scare.
Jackson had movement in all extremities and traveled home with the team.
Since waiving Jackson with an injury settlement, another team has 24 hours to claim him; if not, he will become a free agent once the settlement is finalized.
Gray spent seven years with the Saints and played for the Buccaneers and Broncos in 2025.
Kelee Ringo is now likely to make the 53-man roster due to his special teams play and depth at cornerback.
Framing: The headline focuses on Jackson being released from the hospital and traveling home, indicating a positive outcome. — Matter-of-fact, focusing on the positive resolution.
Facts Included:
Jackson was released from a hospital and traveled home with the team.
He tackled Lan Larison on the opening kickoff and lay motionless after.
The Eagles announced he had strength and movement in all extremities.
He was seen briefly raising his left arm as he was loaded into the ambulance.
Jackson was on Jacksonville's practice squad last season as a rookie.
He ran for 2,148 yards and 29 touchdowns in college, with his last year at Arkansas.
Framing: The headline notes he had movement after being taken off, providing a positive update. — Neutral with a hint of relief through McKee's quote.
Facts Included:
Jackson was taken off the field in an ambulance after being injured on the opening kickoff.
The Eagles announced he had strength and movement in all extremities.
He made the tackle on Lan Larison but laid motionless after.
Players from both teams knelt as he was strapped onto a stretcher.
He was seen briefly raising his left arm.
Backup quarterback Tanner McKee said they were told Jackson was OK and that he was talking and responsive.
McKee was quoted: 'A lot of different emotions just praying and hoping that he’s OK... Word was going around that he was talking, he was responsive and moving.'
Each row is one claim, attributed to the outlet whose wording states it most clearly. Confidence rates how directly the source text states the claim — explicit and unhedged rates high; hedged, pieced-together, or internally inconsistent statements rate lower. It does not measure whether the claim is true. Status counts the distinct outlets we found asserting it — so a single-source claim can still show high confidence, and a multi-source claim can show medium. Every one of those outlets is named beside the status, so you can check the count against the list. For claims extracted before we began storing that list, the row says so: it names the outlet the claim is quoted from and states that we have not recorded which outlets backed it. Outlets wrote at different times, so a figure that evolves — a casualty count, for example — can legitimately differ between rows; check the "as of" time next to each claim's source.
Claim
Confidence
Status
ClaimPhiladelphia Eagles running back Ja'Quinden Jackson was injured on the opening kickoff of the August 22, 2026 preseason game against the New England Patriots and was taken off the field in an ambulance.
ClaimAfter being waived with an injury settlement, Jackson will have 24 hours for another team to claim him; if no claim, he will become a free agent once the settlement is finalized.