An unfortunate run of injuries continued for former Saints WR Keith Kirkwood at Carolina Panthers training camp this week as he was carted off the field and taken away in an ambulance after an apparent head or neck injury.
The former Temple standout suffered the injury Tuesday morning while going up for a pass and taking a hit from defensive back JT Ibe.
The hit was described as against a "defenseless" receiver, which would cost a 15-yard penalty if it happened during a game. Video shot during practice shows Ibe coming in late and appearing to lead with his shoulder into the area of Kirkwood's head. The hit was egregious enough that Ibe was sent off from practice and cut from the team within a matter of hours.
Kirkwood's status was not yet known as of 11 a.m. (central).
The 26-year-old Kirkwood spent two seasons with the Saints, catching 13 passes for 209 yards and a pair of touchdowns, but battle repeated injuries that kept him from producing regularly. He finished the 2019 season on injured reserve due to a hamstring injury, and signed with the Carolina Panthers and new offensive coordinator Joe Brady, who had previously served as an assistant in New Orleans. The Panthers also signed former Saints quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, but have since traded him to the Denver Broncos after a move to acquire former Jets quarterback Sam Darnold.
Kirkwood went on injured reserve shortly before the 2020 season and never saw the field, but signed a one-year extension with the Panthers in February.
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