Kendal Daniels leads Falcons to upset win one week after scary injury

“Seven days ago we’re at the hospital talking to his family and then go play against Kyle Shanahan and [Brock] Purdy and put the green dot on and call the defense,” Falcons head coach Kevin Stefanski said in the post-game news conference.

"So that's unbelievable to just do that. And then to make a play at the end, man, really proud of that kid."

Daniels' play was unbelievable, but his recovery was even more unbelievable. Daniels had no damage, cleared concussion protocol and was already walking around under his own power on Sunday, and by Wednesday he was back at practice.

Despite being originally listed as questionable, a forearm injury to Divine Deablo necessitated the next man up, who was Daniels, primed and ready to make the best of this chance.

Flying all over the field on Sunday, Daniels not only led the defense with the play calling and total tackles, but he also called game, stalking and sniping this Brock Purdy throw with 2:42 left in the game for the first interception of his career.

After a Nick Folk field goal extended Atlanta's lead to two scores, Daniels made sure the 49ers would leave Atlanta with their first loss of the season after diving on this George Kittle fumble caused by Jesse Bates III, who had his own interception earlier in the game.

Daniels could be the next in line to lead the Falcons defense, or this could just be a flash in the pan, but he will always remember and be thankful for being able to get back onto the field in a short amount of time.

"I'm blessed, man. I just thanked God all week," Daniels said after the game. "I was just sore all week, but I've played through worse pain than that. I knew God was telling me that I needed to play, so he guided me to play this week."