NFL Preseason Game Gets Called Early After Player Suffers Serious Injury

This was a scary moment.

The preseason game between the Detroit Lions and the Atlanta Falcons was ended early after Lions safety Morice Norris was injured on a play.

Norris reportedly suffered a neck injury and was taken off the field in an ambulance.

Here’s the moment Norris was placed in the back of the ambulance:

I forgot I recorded this tonight until I got home. Such an incredible show of brotherhood as the Lions team gathered as Morice Norris was placed into the waiting ambulance.

It’s a beautiful reminder to always show up for your people, especially when they need you the most. 💙… pic.twitter.com/0cbzcyKisH

— Clemmie (@LadyClemmieUDL) August 9, 2025

ESPN shared more details on the injury:

The preseason game between the Detroit Lions and Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium was suspended in the fourth quarter Friday night after Lions safety Morice Norris was taken off the field in an ambulance with what appeared to be a head or neck injury.

Norris was hurt while attempting to make a tackle on a running play by Atlanta rookie Nathan Carter with 14:50 to go. Norris hit Carter with his facemask facing the running back’s midsection, and his head snapped back after making the hit.

Norris was transported to Atlanta’s Grady Memorial Hospital for further evaluation and is in stable condition, the Lions said in a statement, with “feeling and movement in all his extremities.”

“We would like to thank the Atlanta Falcons organization, the EMS team at Mercedes-Benz Stadium and the doctors and staff at Grady for their support,” the team said, noting Norris would remain hospitalized overnight for observation.

Norris was attended to for about 20 minutes on the field as players from both teams joined hands in unison. An ambulance drove onto the field, and Norris was loaded into it on a stretcher.

When play resumed, Falcons quarterback Emory Jones took a snap and held the ball as players from both teams stood at the line of scrimmage and the clock continued to run.

Finally, with 6:31 left, an official announced the game had been suspended “per New York.” The Lions led 17-10 when played was stopped.

Here’s the play that resulted in Norris’ injury:

Morice Norris injury video full sequence
-Knee to side of head. Unconscious and fencing immediately.
-Seizure activity seen in legs a few seconds later. Falcons trainers probably saw it right away.
-Taken off in ambulance pic.twitter.com/FkYsbDxAQR

— Jimmy Liao MD | Detroit Lions Morning Rounds (@JimmyLiaoMD) August 9, 2025

After Lions safety Morice Norris was taken off the field in an ambulance, both the Falcons and Lions players gathered in a circle on the field and let the clock run out.

The game was officially suspended. pic.twitter.com/duiE4cW0Y4

— TSN (@TSN_Sports) August 9, 2025

Fox News provided the latest update on Norris:

Norris was hurt with 14:50 to go trying to tackle Nathan Carter. There was no immediate report on the injury.

When play resumed, Falcons quarterback Emory Jones took a snap and then held the ball as players from both teams stood at the line of scrimmage and the clock continued to run. Finally, with 6:31 left, an official announced the game had been suspended “per New York.”

The Lions led 17-10 when played was stopped.

Lions coach Dan Campbell addressed the incident in the postgame press conference.

“He’s breathing, he’s talking. It’s good. He’s got some movement,” Campbell said. “Now, they’ll just run more tests.”

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Lions quarterback Kyle Allen told reporters he was praying for Norris, adding, “It’s a terrible game sometimes.”

“I don’t think anyone on that sideline wanted to play,” 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.”