The Detroit Lions’ preseason game against the Atlanta Falcons came to an abrupt end Friday night after safety Morice Norris suffered a scary injury.
The incident happened on the first play of the fourth quarter. Norris went in for a tackle on Falcons running back Nathan Carter, but Carter’s knee accidentally hit him in the facemask. The hit snapped Norris’s head backward, and he stayed down on the field, not moving.
Trainers and medical staff rushed out right away, and the stadium went silent. After more than 20 minutes of treatment, Norris was placed on a stretcher, loaded into an ambulance, and taken to Grady Memorial Hospital.
Both teams gathered at midfield in a circle before the game was officially called off with 6:31 left to play. At the time, the Lions were leading 17–10.
Lions head coach Dan Campbell gave an update after the game, saying Norris was breathing, talking, and had movement in all his limbs. He’s in stable condition but will stay in the hospital overnight for observation.
The moment brought back memories of similar situations in past preseason games, like when Isaiah Bolden and Daewood Davis were injured in 2023. The NFL has been working to put player safety first, and calling off this game showed that health matters more than the score.
Key Points:
- Morice Norris’s injury brought the game to a complete stop.
- He is in stable condition and can move his arms and legs.
- The decision to end the game shows the NFL’s focus on safety.
- Fans, players, and coaches all stood together in support.