Lions CB Morice Norris taken off field in ambulance in preseason game vs. Falcons as teams let clock run

Detroit Lions cornerback Morice Norris was taken off the field in an ambulance after an apparent head injury during a preseason game against the Atlanta Falcons on Friday. Following the injury, which took place at the start of the fourth quarter, both teams chose to let the clock run out before the referees suspended the game early.

The Lions later announced that Norris had been transported to a local hospital in Atlanta for further evaluation, but did not provide any updates on his condition.

Lions DB Morice Norris has been transported to a local hospital for further evaluation.

- Detroit Lions PR (@LionsPR) August 9, 2025

Norris went down hard on a tackle after his head appeared to hit the leg of Falcons running back Nathan Carter on a tackle. Norris, who was diving for the tackle, seemed to lose consciousness after the contact.

Norris was tended to for several minutes before an ambulance came on to the field to take him off. Trainers and medical personnel stabilized Norris on the field, putting him on a backboard and bracing his head and neck, before loading him into the ambulance.

Lions head coach Dan Campbell gathered the entire team as Norris was taken off. Detroit and Atlanta then let the clock run: The players on the Falcons' offense and Lions' defense stood in a circle with their heads bowed for nearly 10 minutes before the referees called the game to an early end.

As Morice Norris is loaded onto the ambulance, Dan Campbell gathered his entire team. Gut wrenching to watch. pic.twitter.com/I0BIbITuFl

- Jennifer Hammond (@HammerFox2) August 9, 2025

The officials seemed to cite the league in the decision to finish the game before the clock had expired the rest of the way: "Per New York, this game is suspended," the head referee said, with 6:33 still technically left in the fourth quarter.

The Lions won the game, 17-10.

After the game, Falcons head coach Raheem Morris said on the broadcast that it was a mutual decision to end the game.

"It was common ground, common courtesy. Didn't like the look of [the injury]," Morris said. "I thought that was the right thing to do."

This is Norris' second season with the Lions. The cornerback signed with the team last year after going undrafted out of Fresno State. He played in two games last season.