After being rushed off the field in an ambulance late in a preseason game against the Atlanta Falcons, Detroit Lions safety Morice Norris posted on social media on Saturday to reassure fans that he is well and to thank them for their support.
In addition to a Bible passage and a message of gratitude, Norris uploaded a screenshot.
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He wrote on his Instagram story, “Amen Amen.”
“Don’t worry, I’m all right,” he stated, adding that he values all of the support and check-ins.
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After receiving medical attention for almost 20 minutes and being transported to a hospital in Atlanta, Norris was in stable condition late Friday night.
After striking Falcons running back Nathan Carter with 14:50 remaining in the preseason game, the 24-year-old Norris sustained an injury. After helping on the tackle, he struck Carter with his facemask facing the running back’s midsection, and his head snapped back.
With the clock still running and players from both sides standing at the line of scrimmage, Atlanta quarterback Emory Jones snapped the ball when play restarted.
“You usually see a couple trainers out there,” said Kyle Allen, the quarterback for the Lions. When they pull out the stretchers, it’s never good.
The Lions were ahead of the Falcons 17–10 when an official declared the game was suspended with 6:31 left in the fourth quarter, according to New York.
Both Atlanta coach Raheem Morris and Detroit coach Dan Campbell decided not to play the entire game.
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According to Campbell, Raheem Morris is a class act. He is the epitome of class. We both agreed that finishing that game didn’t feel right.
After earning a spot on the club as an undrafted rookie, Norris, a former Fresno State standout, participated in eight games last season.
Two years ago, NFL preseason games ended early in back-to-back weeks.
When Patriots cornerback Isaiah Bolden was taken off in the fourth quarter of New England’s 2023 preseason game against Green Bay in Week 2, the game was canceled. While trying to make a contact on a ball completion to the Packers’ Malik Heath, Bolden seemed to run into teammate Calvin Munson. After being transported to a hospital, Bolden was freed the following day.
Daewood Davis, a receiver for the Dolphins, was carted off during the fourth quarter of a Miami vs. Jacksonville game a week later. While running a slant route and trying to catch a pass, Davis was struck by Jaguars linebacker Dequan Jackson, causing injuries. A day later, Davis was discharged from the hospital.
Eight months after Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin suffered a heart collapse and required on-field resuscitation during a regular-season game against Cincinnati in January 2023, the two terrifying injuries occurred. After a fantastic recovery, Hamlin returned to football the following season and started for the Bills the previous season.
Allen stated that when you sign up for football, you are aware of the danger of injury. You never imagine that kind of event will occur. We are all out here as football players at the end of the day. Despite playing for 32 different teams, we have all played football our entire lives, sustained injuries, and experienced it.
Charles Odum and John Wawrow, both AP Sports Writers, contributed.
