Panthers WR Keith Kirkwood leaves in ambulance after head injury

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Keith Kirkwood (18) makes a catch during the Carolina Panthers training camp at Wofford College. Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

Carolina Panthers receiver Keith Kirkwood leaves in ambulance after head injury at training camp

Originally posted on Sportsnaut | By Matt Johnson | Last updated 8/3/21

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Keith Kirkwood left the practice field in an ambulance after suffering a head injury during a drill at training camp on Tuesday.

Carolina’s offense and defense were facing off in a live drill early during Tuesday’s practice when a pass came in Kirkwood’s direction and he went up for a leaping grab. As he came down, defensive back J.T. Ibe drilled him near the head. The 6-foot-3 wide receiver immediately crashed to the ground.

This was the play that took Keith Kirkwood to a stretcher. We will keep you posted on what we hear in terms of his injury, way too early to speculate. #Panthers pic.twitter.com/D78AESqJ2M
— John Ellis (@1PantherPlace) August 3, 2021

According to Steve Reed of the Associated Press, Panthers coaches immediately kicked Ibe out of practice for the blow to Kirkwood’s head. This was Carolina’s first padded practice since training camp began last week.

Kirkwood, who missed a majority of the 2020 season with shoulder injuries, laid on the ground for 10 minutes with medical staff at his side. An ambulance was brought out and Kirkwood’s neck was immobilized and then medics loaded him onto a stretcher before taking him to a local hospital.