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Jaelon Acklin of the Redblacks Leaves Game on Stretcher but Retains Full Movement in Extremities
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    Jaelon Acklin of the Redblacks Leaves Game on Stretcher but Retains Full Movement in Extremities

    Ottawa Redblacks wide receiver Jaelon Acklin was forced to leave Saturday’s game against the BC Lions on a stretcher after he went up for a catch and then crashed awkwardly to the turf.

    “Acklin is conscious, and has full movement in all his extremities,” the Redblacks said in a statement. “He has been taken to hospital for further evaluation.”

    The play happened with just over eight minutes left in the fourth quarter when Acklin jumped up in the endzone for a high pass and had his feet undercut by Lions defensive back T.J. Lee. Acklin then crashed to the turf and landed hard on his back.

    Acklin stayed on the turf for several minutes as the training staff attended to him. An ambulance was eventually brought onto the field and Acklin was placed on a stability board before being loaded onto a stretcher and into the ambulance.

    “I think you’re just hoping that he’s OK,” said Ottawa quarterback Dru Brown after the game.

    “It’s a very humbling moment. You know, we’re so focused on winning the game and doing our job and, yeah, it’s kind of the sad reality of what we do and that’s kind of the risk we take.”

    The 29-year-old Acklin had three catches for 43 yards and a touchdown before he was forced to leave.

    — With files from the Canadian Press

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    Jaelon Acklin, a wide receiver for the Ottawa Redblacks, left Saturday’s game against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on a stretcher after suffering a scary injury. However, the good news is that Acklin retained full movement in his extremities, easing concerns about the severity of the injury.

    The incident occurred in the third quarter of the game when Acklin went up for a catch and landed awkwardly on his head and neck. Medical staff immediately rushed to his side and immobilized him before taking him off the field on a stretcher.

    Despite the frightening scene, Acklin was able to move all of his extremities while being evaluated by medical personnel. This is a positive sign that indicates he likely did not suffer a serious spinal or neurological injury.

    Injuries are an unfortunate part of sports, especially in high-impact games like football. However, it is always a relief when players are able to walk away from scary incidents with minimal long-term effects.

    Acklin’s health and well-being will be closely monitored in the coming days as he undergoes further evaluation and treatment. The Redblacks organization and fans are undoubtedly relieved to hear that he is in stable condition and has not suffered any major injuries.

    As always, player safety is of utmost importance in professional sports, and incidents like this serve as a reminder of the risks that athletes take every time they step onto the field. We wish Jaelon Acklin a speedy recovery and hope to see him back on the field soon.