Detroit Lions defensive back Morice Norris shared and reshared positive messages on his Instagram account Saturday morning after he experienced a concerning injury the previous night, leading to an early end to the Lions’ preseason away game against the Atlanta Falcons.
Norris shared a story with the message, “Amen Amen I’m doing great everyone, no need to worry, I appreciate all the messages and support.”
Then he shared a post from fellow Lions defensive back Terrion Arnold, which showed a screenshot of a FaceTime call with Norris smiling.
“My guy [Morice] contacted me today,” Arnold mentioned in his Instagram caption Saturday morning. “Sometimes we lose sight of how valuable life is and everything. That is part of playing this game that we love, but we are protected by an almighty… God thank you for looking after my brother.”
After suffering what appeared to be a head injury early in the fourth quarter of Friday’s preseason game at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Norris was transported off the field in an ambulance.
Instead of continuing the game, the Lions and Falcons allowed the game clock to run down before officials ultimately announced the game was stopped with 6:31 remaining.
The Lions communicated late Friday night that Norris was in stable condition with “sensation and control in all his limbs.”
Norris, who joined the Lions as an undrafted free agent from Fresno State last year, was injured on the first play of the exhibition’s fourth quarter.
Atlanta Falcons and Detroit Lions hold hands at midfield after Morice Norris of the Lions sustained an injury during the fourth quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Aug. 8, 2025, in Atlanta. (Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)
(Kevin Sabitus via Getty Images)
While attempting a tackle, the second-year corner’s head seemed to collide with the leg of Falcons running back Nathan Carter. After nearly 20 minutes of evaluation by the medical staff, which ended with Norris being secured on a backboard — with his head and neck stabilized — he was transported to an Atlanta hospital.
With the clock running, players from the Falcons’ offense and Lions’ defense came together in a circle, holding hands with their heads lowered.
When the game was stopped, the Lions were ahead, 17-10. However, that was secondary to everyone’s concern.
“An event like this puts things into a different light,” Lions head coach Dan Campbell expressed after the game.
Campbell mentioned that he and Falcons head coach Raheem Morris both felt it wasn’t appropriate to complete the game.
Norris’ activity on social media Saturday morning is encouraging, as is the continuing support he is receiving from around the league and from fans everywhere.
