Morice Norris injury: Get to know the second-year Lions safety

Detroit Lions safety Morice Norris left the field in an ambulance following a hit to the head in the fourth quarter of Detroit's preseason game against the Atlanta Falcons on Friday, Aug. 8.

The cause or extent of his injury is unclear. According to Lions coach Dan Campbell, Norris is breathing and talking while receiving treatment at a hospital close to Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

Campbell and Falcons coach Raheem Morris agreed to suspend the game instead of continuing play.

Here's a quick primer about the second-year safety.

Who is Morice Norris?

Norris, 24, is a second-year safety from Fresno State. The Lions signed him as an undrafted free agent on May 1, 2024, and he got attention after showing an extraordinary work ethic at practice.

Norris suffered an injury before the 2024 season started and was waived from the team, but was re-signed to the practice squad on Sept. 24. He was added to the active roster for the first time on Dec. 28 and made his NFL debut on Dec. 30 in the Lions' 40-34 win over the San Francisco 49ers, playing exclusively as a special teamer.

He played in one more regular-season game in 2024, a 31-9 win over the Minnesota Vikings, getting one defensive snap to add to his special teams assignment. He recorded three tackles in the team's 45-31 loss to the Washington Commanders in the first round of the NFC playoffs, getting signficiant playing time in the Lions' secondary for the first time in his professional career.

What did Morice Norris do in college?

Norris was a standout in his last two college seasons with the Bulldogs, finishing his senior season in 2023 with 59 combined tackles and two interceptions while leading the team in tackles for loss. He was named second-team all-conference in the Mountain West in 2023.

Norris grew up in Fresno, Calif., and started his college career at Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa, California.

How bad is Morice Norris' injury?

The extent of Norris' injury is unclear.

Norris received immediate medical attention after collapsing on the field following a collision with the leg of Falcons' running back Nathan Carter, a former Michigan State player. He was taken off the field in an ambulance and is currently receiving treatment at a nearby hospital.

Campbell said that Norris was breathing and talking, but didn't offer specifics on the injury or his prognosis.

Was Morice Norris going to play this year?

According to our Lions insider Dave Birkett, Norris was in the running for the Lions' fourth safety spot for the upcoming season.

Norris recorded one tackle in the Lions' 34-7 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers in the Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio, on July 31. He had three total tackles in Friday's game before exiting.

The Lions have suffered a rash of injuries to their secondary recently, with second-year cornerback Ennis Rakestraw Jr. undergoing season-ending surgery on Thursday, Aug. 7, with safety Dan Jackson, the team's 2025 seventh-round pick, likely out for the season as well after being put on injured reserve.

With those injuries, it's likely that Norris was in play for significant playing time on special teams and as a backup in the Lions' secondary.

You can reach Christian Romo at [email protected]

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Morice Norris injury: Get to know the second-year Lions safety