Detroit Lions player Morice Norris was taken to the hospital after a serious injury during a preseason football game against the Atlanta Falcons on August 8, 2025.
The game was played at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. The injury happened in the fourth quarter, when Norris tried to tackle Falcons running back Nathan Carter. Carter’s knee accidentally hit Norris in the head and neck. Norris fell and lay still on the field for several minutes.
Medical staff from both teams quickly helped Norris. They put him on a stretcher and sent him to Grady Memorial Hospital by ambulance. The team said Norris could move his hands and feet, and he was able to talk and breathe. His condition was called “stable.” His mother was with him at the hospital, and some of his teammates stayed in Atlanta to support him.
After Norris got hurt, Lions coach Dan Campbell and Falcons coach Raheem Morris decided together to end the game. There were 6 minutes and 19 seconds left on the clock.
Players from both teams gathered at the center of the field to honor Norris while the remaining time on the clock ran out. The coaches said it was not right to keep playing after what happened.
Morice Norris is 24 years old. He joined the Detroit Lions as an undrafted player in 2024, after playing college football at Fresno State. Last season, he mostly played on special teams and was in two regular games and one playoff game. The Lions brought him back to the team in January 2025.
Norris’s injury upset many fans and players, who shared their concern on social media and in the stadium. People pointed out how important it is to keep players safe in football. Norris is still being watched by doctors, and he will have more tests to check on his recovery.
The NFL and its teams often stop games or take special steps when players get seriously hurt. The show of support in Atlanta is another sign of how important health and safety are for everyone in football.