The fourth-round pick out of Texas showed some movement in his arms as medical staff tended to him. They took him off the field supported by a board.
The Panthers said he has a neck injury and will not return to the game.
Sanders made the catch near the right sideline at the Kansas City 11-yard line and was tackled by cornerback Trent McDuffie. It landed squarely on the head and neck area.
Teammates and coaches gathered around Sanders as medical staff tended to him.
Carolina settled for a field goal and went into halftime trailing the two-time defending Super Bowl champions 20-9.
