‘I’m good’: Lions safety Morice Norris stable, has movement in extremities after injury

In the fourth quarter of a preseason game against the Atlanta Falcons on Friday, Detroit Lions safety Morice Norris was taken off the field in an ambulance after colliding with running back Nathan Carter.

It appeared Norris’ head made contact with Carter’s knee. The backboard and cart were brought out immediately, and players from both teams took a knee while bowing their heads. When play resumed, the Falcons snapped the ball, but neither team took part in the play, draining the clock for approximately eight minutes before officials announced the game was suspended.

Norris, 24, was transported to a local hospital for further evaluation.

“Morice Norris is in stable condition and has feeling and movement in all his extremities,” the Lions announced via social media late Friday evening. “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 doctors and staff at Grady for their support.”

Norris posted a positive update of his own on his Instagram story on Saturday morning.

“Amen Amen I’m all good man don’t stress it,” Norris said. “Appreciate all the check ins and love.”

Norris’ mother is with him at the hospital, Lions head coach Dan Campbell said postgame.

“He’s breathing. He’s talking. That’s good. He’s got some movement,” Campbell said. “And now they’re running more tests.”

After Norris’ injury, players from both teams held hands and prayed.

“It’s just an eye-opener. It hits, you know? It hits a little different. It puts things in perspective,” Campbell said. “I’ll tell you what — man, it’s a violent game, and we love it. But when something like this happens, the silver-lining is the brotherhood. To see all those guys from that team, our team, kind of come together and everybody is thinking about another player, it just means a lot.”

Lions sideline reporter Dannie Rogers, before the game was officially called, described Detroit’s sideline: “A lot of Morice Norris’ teammates (are) hanging their heads, sitting on the bench. Some emotionless, some really emotional like defensive back Rock Ya-Sin and defensive backs coach Deshea Townsend, who walked off the field after Coach Campbell’s huddle at midfield with tears in his eyes. A lot of these coaches and players, you can tell they’d like to get off this field and go home and probably get an update on their teammate.”

Norris signed with the Lions as an undrafted free agent in 2024. The Fresno State product played in three games last season, including a playoff appearance.