Morice Norris injury update: Detroit Lions safety says “I’m all good” after scary hit in preseason game against Atlanta Falcons

Friday night’s preseason game between the Detroit Lions and Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes‑Benz Stadium came to a sudden stop when Lions safety Morice Norris was taken off the field in an ambulance after a hard hit.

With 14:50 left in the fourth quarter, Norris went low to tackle Falcons rookie running back Nathan Carter. His facemask hit Carter’s midsection, and his head snapped back from the impact. Medical staff treated Norris on the field for nearly 20 minutes before he was wheeled away to the Grady Memorial Hospital.

Detroit Lions Vs Atlanta Falcons game suspended after Morice Norris taken off the field

During the delay, athletes from both teams joined hands on the field in a gesture of unity. Once medical personnel and the ambulance cleared the area, play technically resumed – with Falcons quarterback Emory Jones taking a snap, though nobody was really ready to compete.

With 6:31 remaining, an official announced the game was suspended “per New York.” At that time, Detroit held a 17‑10 lead.Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell said that the decision came from the coaching teams, not the league office. “Raheem Morris is the ultimate class act,” he said, adding “We agreed it just didn't feel right to finish that game.”

Players from Detroit Lions and Atlanta Falcons weigh in on Morice Norris’ injury

Lions quarterback Kyle Allen recalled that the severity was clear as soon as trainers rushed out with stretchers.

“Usually, you see a couple trainers out there,” Allen said, as quoted in ESPN. “It's never good when they bring out the stretchers. We just started praying for him and hoping for the best. When it's taking that long, with that many people and that many trainers around him, you're just hoping for the best.” He added that nobody on the sideline wanted to continue.“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.” Falcons wide receiver Casey Washington echoed the sentiment, saying, “That's somebody's life, and that's bigger than football.”

Morice Norris gives health update after injury during preseason matchup

The Lions said 24-year-old Morice Norris, who joined the team as an undrafted free agent from Fresno State in 2024, would stay in the hospital overnight for observation. Norris posted a reassuring Instagram story the next morning that read, “I'm all good man.

Don't stress it. Appreciate all the check ins and love.” Head coach Campbell confirmed Norris’s mother, Francina Pleasant, was with him at the hospital.“It’s an eye‑opener. It hits a little different,” Campbell said. “It puts things in perspective. And I'll tell you what, man, it's a violent game and we love it. And when something like this happens, the silver lining is … the brotherhood. I mean, to see all those guys from that team, our team kind of come together and everybody's thinking about another player just means a lot.”Also read: "Need better from him”: Drake Maye’s fumble in New England Patriots’ preseason opener draws sharp response from coach Mike VrabelWhat happened Friday night showed that, it wasn’t about winning or losing – it was about making sure a teammate was okay.