Detroit Lions' Morice Norris expected to return home today after scary injury

ATLANTA — Detroit Lions safety Morice Norris is feeling better after the spending the night in an Atlanta hospital following a scary collision in the fourth quarter of Friday’s preseason game. He is expected to return home Saturday.

Norris was taken off the field by ambulance after he was injured making a tackle on Atlanta Falcons rookie running back Nathan Carter with 14:50 left in the game. The NFL suspended the game with the Lions leading, 17-10.

Norris spent the night at Atlanta’s Grady Memorial Hospital, where he was evaluated for brain, neck and spine injuries. He posted in a story on his Instagram account Saturday, “I’m all good man.”

Detroit Lions players take a knee after an injury to safety Morice Norris (not pictured) against the Atlanta Falcons in the fourth quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Friday, Aug. 8, 2025.

“Amen Amen,” Norris wrote as part of a post that included a Bible verse. “I’m all good man don’t stress it appreciate all the check ins and love.”

Norris, one of four players competing for the No. 4 safety job, was hurt on the first play of the fourth quarter when he ran in from his deep safety spot to make a tackle on Carter, who spent the past two seasons at Michigan State. Norris’ head snapped back violently when it hit Carter’s leg, and medical personnel rushed onto the field after he fell limp to the ground.

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Detroit Lions cornerback Morice Norris Jr. stands on the field after the team’s offseason practice in Allen Park, Michigan on Wednesday, June 5, 2024. At the time, he was an undrafted rookie free agent from Fresno State.

Norris’ body began convulsing on the ground, and the game was stopped for more than 20 minutes before referee Shawn Hochuli announced it was suspended.

The Falcons ran one play before the announcement, though that snap is not part of the official play-by-play.

Lions coach Dan Campbell and Falcons coach Raheem Morris met at midfield while Norris was being tended to, and agreed they would run out the clock rather than play another snap.

Asked about the conversation that led to that decision after the game, Morris told reporters, “Just Dan and myself. Respect for his family, Morice Norris. It was that simple.”

“It’s not a lot of times that, that happens,” Morris said. “You know, I can’t sit here and tell you that I’ve been through a lot of things, or seen a lot of things. I don’t think any of us have. That was the moment, and the decision was the right thing to do for our football team and the Lions football team.”

Campbell called Morris “the ultimate class act” after the game and Lions quarterback Kyle Allen said, “I don’t think anyone on the sideline wanted to play.”

Players from both teams gathered in a circle and prayed after the ball was set for play and snapped following Norris’ injury.

Morris said he didn’t consider whether the league would take issue with his and Campbell’s decision to not play out the final 14:50 of the game.

“It wasn’t my thought right now,” he said. “The thought process for both of us was about Morice Norris and his family. That’s what it was all about.”

The Lions had a previously scheduled off day Saturday but several players took to social media to pray for Norris and express gratitude that he was OK.

Cornerback Terrion Arnold wrote on X, “Y’all don’t even understand how happy I am to see my dawg smiling man… God works in mysterious way, it was just a reminder that we can’t take this beautiful game for granted and as fans y’all should understand what we go through putting our livelihood at risks once again I’m glad my brother is alive and well #PraiseTheLord“

Defensvie tackle Levi Onwuzurike, who is out for the season after knee surgery, posted on an Instagram story, “We praying for you brother,” with an emoji of praying hands. “May God Keep You Safe & Healthy.”

Dave Birkett covers the Lions for the Detroit Free Press. Contact him at [email protected]. Follow him on Bluesky, X and Instagram at @davebirkett.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Morice Norris injury: Lions DB expected to return home today

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Detroit Lions’ Morice Norris expected to return home today after scary injury

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