In a concerning incident during the preseason game against the Atlanta Falcons, Detroit Lions safety Morice Norris was injured and subsequently taken off the field in an ambulance. The game was halted with 6:31 left on the clock after both teams agreed to let the time run down. Norris sustained the injury while attempting to tackle Atlanta running back Nathan Carter with 14:50 remaining in the game.
Following the incident, the Lions released a statement confirming that Morice Norris is in stable condition, exhibiting feeling and movement in all extremities. He will remain under observation at Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta overnight. The organization expressed gratitude towards the Atlanta Falcons, the emergency medical services team at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, and the medical staff at Grady Hospital for their swift response and care.
Lions head coach Dan Campbell urged fans and players alike to pray for the health of the 24-year-old Norris. “We’re just praying for Mo and ask that everybody prays for him,” Campbell stated. He mentioned that Norris's mother was by his side at the hospital during this challenging time.
During the tackle, Norris struck Carter with his facemask aimed at the running back’s midsection, causing his head to snap back upon impact. Lions quarterback Kyle Allen noted that it was apparent to everyone that medical personnel were treating the situation with utmost seriousness. “It’s never good when they bring out the stretchers,” Allen remarked. “We just started praying for him and hoping for the best.”
As the game resumed briefly, Falcons quarterback Emory Jones took a snap but both teams stood motionless at the line of scrimmage, allowing the clock to continue running. Finally, an official announced that the game had been suspended “per New York.” At the time of suspension, the Lions were leading 17-10. Both Campbell and Falcons coach Raheem Morris jointly decided it was inappropriate to continue the game.
“Raheem Morris is a class act,” Campbell stated, emphasizing the mutual respect between the coaches. “We agreed it just didn’t feel right to finish that game.” Morris echoed Campbell’s sentiments, highlighting the emotional toll of seeing a teammate injured. “It was tough for the other team to see getting a teammate hurt that way,” he said. “It was the right thing to do for Dan and his crew.”
The decision to suspend the game was straightforward for Allen. “I don’t think anyone on that sideline wanted to play. You could look in anyone’s eyes and see that,” he stated. Although the situation was unprecedented in the moment, it followed two similar incidents in the previous weeks of the preseason. Last month, a game between the New England Patriots and Green Bay Packers was called off after cornerback Isaiah Bolden was carted off the field with an injury. Additionally, a matchup between the Miami Dolphins and Jacksonville Jaguars was also suspended following an injury to receiver Daewood Davis.
These recent injuries serve as a stark reminder of the risks associated with football. They echo the traumatic incident involving Damar Hamlin, a safety for the Buffalo Bills, who went into cardiac arrest during a game in January 2023. Remarkably, Hamlin has made a full recovery and returned to the field as a starter in the subsequent season.
As the Lions and their fans await further updates on Morice Norris, the entire football community stands united in hope for his recovery and well-being.
