The Detroit Lions’ preseason matchup against the Atlanta Falcons came to an abrupt end Friday night after defensive back Morice Norris was taken off the field in an ambulance following a head or neck injury, as reported by The New York Post.

The incident occurred on the first play of the fourth quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Norris was attempting to tackle Falcons running back Nathan Carter when Carter’s knee struck the safety’s facemask, snapping Norris’s head backward.

Medical staff immediately responded as Norris remained on the turf. He was immobilized on a backboard before being loaded into an ambulance and transported to Grady Memorial Hospital.

Lions head coach Dan Campbell confirmed after the game that Norris was breathing and had movement at the hospital. “I’ll start off with this, obviously, thoughts and prayers are with Mo Norris,” Campbell told reporters.

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“We got some positive information on him, that he’s at the hospital… He’s breathing. He’s talking. That’s good. He’s got some movement. And now they’re running more tests.”

Hours later, the Lions issued an update via X stating Norris was in “stable condition” with feeling and movement in all extremities.

The team said he would remain at Grady Memorial overnight for observation and thanked the Falcons organization, the stadium’s EMS team, and hospital staff for their support.

After Norris’s injury, play resumed briefly before both teams gathered near midfield, holding hands in a circle as the game clock was allowed to run down. The game was suspended with just over six minutes remaining and the Lions leading 17-10.

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“I don’t think anyone on that sideline wanted to play,” Lions quarterback Kyle Allen said. “We weren’t part of that decision, but you could just look in everyone’s eyes and see it wasn’t worth it.”

Norris, 24, signed with the Lions as an undrafted free agent out of Fresno State in 2023 and appeared in two regular-season games last year.

The suspension of the game marked a rare occurrence in the NFL preseason, underscoring the severity of the situation and concern for player safety. Further updates on Norris’s condition are expected as he undergoes additional medical evaluation.

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