Football match between Lions and Falcons halted due to severe injury sustained by safety Morice Norris
In a concerning turn of events during the preseason game between the Detroit Lions and Atlanta Falcons on August 9, 2025, safety Morice Norris sustained a serious head and neck injury [1][2][3][4]. The incident occurred with 14:50 left in the fourth quarter, as Norris attempted a tackle on Falcons running back Nathan Carter [5].
Prior to the injury, Norris's team, the Lions, were leading 17-10. The game was quarterbacked by Kyle Allen, who replaced Hendon Hooker. Allen went on to throw two touchdown passes for the Lions, with one of them being an 11-yard catch by rookie Isaac TeSlaa [6].
Meanwhile, on the Falcons' side, Emory Jones played the second half, and rookie edge rusher Jalon Walker returned to practice after missing much of the opening week of training camp due to a minor hamstring injury [7]. Atlanta's other first-round pick, edge rusher James Pearce Jr., also started in the game.
The Lions' defense is currently adjusting after second-year cornerback Ennis Rakestraw Jr. was placed on injured reserve with a season-ending shoulder injury. However, the team's top two draft picks, defensive lineman Tyleik Williams and right guard Tate Rutledge, both played in the game [8].
Following the injury, Norris was immobilized on the field and taken off in an ambulance, leading to the suspension of the game shortly thereafter. There has been no immediate report on the nature of Norris' injury, and he has entered concussion protocol as of August 12, 2025 [9].
Leonard Floyd, a veteran, is expected to boost Atlanta's pass rush alongside Walker and Pearce when the Falcons return to action. The Falcons are set to host the Tennessee Titans in their next game on August 13, with joint practices scheduled before the game next week [10]. The Lions, on the other hand, will return to Detroit to host Miami in their third preseason game on Saturday, Aug. 16.
References:
- Detroit Lions Official Site
- Atlanta Falcons Official Site
- ESPN
- NFL.com
- Sporting News
- Pro Football Talk
- USA Today
- CBS Sports
- NFL Network
- Falcons Wire
Despite the setback caused by safety Morice Norris's injury during the NFL game against the Atlanta Falcons, the Lions, led by Kyle Allen, managed to score two touchdown passes, one of them going to rookie Isaac TeSlaa in the preseason game on August 9, 2025. The concern for Norris intensified as he was immobilized on the field and taken to a hospital, leading to the suspension of the game, and he is currently under concussion protocol as of August 12, 2025.
