Morice Norris injury update: Detroit releases statement on Lions DB’s hospital status

The NFL suspended the preseason game between the Detroit Lions and Atlanta Falcons on Friday after Lions cornerback Morice Norris suffered an injury in the fourth quarter and was taken off the field in an ambulance. After the game, the Detroit Lions’ official X account provided an update Norris’ condition.

“Morice Norris is in stable condition and has feeling and movement in all his extremities,” the post read. “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 suffered the injury with approximately 14:12 left in the fourth quarter. Instead of continuing to play, the teams agreed to take knees as many times as necessary to run out the clock. The game was officially called from the New York field offices with 6:33 remaining in the fourth quarter.

Norris suffered the injury when he attempted to tackle Falcons running back Nathan Carter. Norris’ helmet connected with Carter’s knee and his body immediately went stiff. He finished the game with three tackles.

“It’s just an eye opener,” Lions head coach Dan Campbell said. “It puts things in perspective, and I’ll tell you what: 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’s thinking about another player — just means a lot.

“I just told [the team] to pray for him, because at that point we didn’t have much. He was breathing, so I shared that and said, ‘Please pray for him.’ I told them, ‘We’re taking knees. We’re going to take knees for the rest of the game — they are and we are. Until this thing’s over.’”

Norris was an undrafted free agent in 2024. He only appeared in two games for the Detroit Lions last season. Morris spent two years at Fresno State after beginning his collegiate career at the junior college level.

During his senior year at Fresno State, Norris notched 59 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks and two interceptions. For his efforts, he was named an All-Mountain West Second-Team selection. The Atlanta Falcons and Detroit Lions are not expected to meet again to play out the final six minutes of the game.