Bears LB Leonard Floyd taken off on stretcher, released from hospital

Chicago Bears rookie linebacker Leonard Floyd was taken off the field on a backboard and a cart after a frightening neck injury Sunday in his team's 22-16 loss to the New York Giants.

Floyd was taken to a hospital for medical observation, as is standard NFL protocol, and released. He was expected to accompany the team back to Chicago.

While Floyd and teammate Akiem Hickswere converging on Giants running back Rashad Jennings, the crown of Floyd's helmet led into Hicks' leg and compressed. The injury happened with 5 minutes, 53 seconds remaining in Sunday's game.

The entire Bears team and several Giants players gathered around in a show of support. Floyd pumped his fist and showed some movement while being carted off.

"It hurt us mentally and physically to see Leonard go down like that," Bears linebacker Pernell McPhee said. "That's one of our young bucks. That's one of our playmakers. That's one of the guys we depend on. He's a great guy. Hopefully it's nothing serious, and our prayers go out to him. Hopefully he's back soon."

Bears coach John Fox said following the game that Floyd's movement looked good and was encouraging.

"It's difficult to see a young guy like that [who has] made the strides that he's made get hurt," Bears linebacker Willie Young said. "It's definitely tough. But I've been around long enough to know that's just the game that we play."

The first-round pick joined tight end Zach Miller, left guard Josh Sitton and cornerback Cre'Von LeBlanc as Bears knocked out of Sunday's game.

Floyd was taken with the No. 9 pick of the 2016 NFL draft. The Bears traded the No. 11 pick and a fourth-round pick to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to move up to get him.

He started the season slowly and was sidelined for three games after hurting a calf in Week 4. Since returning to the field in Week 7, Floyd has had 10 tackles, 4.5 sacks and 1 fumble recovery for a touchdown.

His five sacks this season lead all rookies.

ESPN's Jeff Dickerson and The Associated Press contributed to this report.