ATLANTA — The Detroit Lions announced that safety Morice Norris was in stable condition following a frightening injury that resulted in him being taken off the field in an ambulance during a preseason game against the Falcons on Friday night.

The team said the 24-year-old Norris had feeling and movement in all of his extremities and that he would remain in a hospital overnight for observation.

Morice Norris is in stable condition and has feeling and movement in all his extremities. He will remain at Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta overnight for observation.

We would like to thank the Atlanta Falcons organization, the EMS team at Mercedes-Benz Stadium and the…

— Detroit Lions (@Lions) August 9, 2025

Norris suffered what appeared to be a serious injury to his head and neck on the first play of the fourth quarter when he attempted to tackle Atlanta running back Nathan Carter; his head snapped back upon colliding with Carter’s leg.

Norris was loaded into an ambulance and taken to a local hospital, and the teams immediately decided to let the clock run out and end the game.

Lions head coach Dan Campbell and his players react after Morice Norris was injured Friday night vs. the Falcons. (Todd Kirkland / Getty Images)

In comments to reporters a short time later, Lions head coach Dan Campbell said the team received “some positive information” on the safety’s status.

“He’s breathing. He’s talking. He’s got some movement. They are running more tests,” Campbell said. “(Falcons head coach) Raheem Morris is a class act. He is the ultimate class act. We agreed it just didn’t feel right to finish the game. That man is a class act, always has been.”

The scene in Atlanta after Lions DB Morice Norris left the game in an ambulance. Clock continues to run. pic.twitter.com/DrSNy0uTrY

— Colton Pouncy (@colton_pouncy) August 9, 2025

Campbell said that the decision to let the clock run out on the game was made quickly.

“I told them we are taking knees, they are and we are until this thing is over,” he said. “The kid just wants to get better every day. I don’t even know what else to say. We will have some team members stay back. We have some players who want to see him. I know his mom is with him.”

Dan Campbell on Morice Norris, who left the game in an ambulance.

Some context on the scene that followed as well: pic.twitter.com/EpvCfwvYlG

— Colton Pouncy (@colton_pouncy) August 9, 2025

Players from both teams reacted in the wake of the injury, acknowledging the dangers of the sport while also expressing sympathy for Norris.

“It’s just awful,” said Lions quarterback Kyle Allen. “You sign up for football, you understand risk and putting your body on the line, but you never think something like that is going to happen.

“We’ve all played football our whole lives, and when you’re on that field and see that, you understand how dangerous it really is out there. At the end of the day we’re all football players.”

“As soon as it happened, I just took a knee and started praying,” said Falcons receiver Casey Washington. “I know God is watching out for us. I know he’s got a hand on him. I’m praying for his mom and praying for his family.”

Washington talked about the emotional scene on the field.

“Everybody on the sideline was just standing there and the clock continued to go,” he said. “It was tough. All the players were affected by it. We have been playing this game since the age of 5 and to see something like that is tough to see, it’s emotional. God bless him.”

The NFLPA posted a message of support for Norris, as did the Falcons, who wrote: “Our thoughts and prayers are with Morice Norris, his family, and the Lions organization.”

And Terrion Arnold, Norris’ closest friend on the team, offered up an optimistic note on social media, writing simply: “He’s good all glory to God.”

He’s good all glory to God🙏🏾

— Terrion Arnold (@ArnoldTerrion) August 9, 2025

(Top photo of Morice Norris being loaded into an ambulance: Todd Kirkland / Getty Images)