The match between the Detroit Lions and the Atlanta Falcons ended prematurely after Morice Norris suffered a life-threatening head injury during the game on Friday, August 8 (local time). He was quickly taken off the field and transported to a local hospital in an ambulance.
The incident occurred when he was attempting to tackle Nathan Carter with 14.50 minutes remaining in the game. Players of both teams gathered in the middle of the field inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta as medical staff attended to Norris.
Norris took a knee to the head and suddenly collapsed unconsciously on the ground while attempting to tackle the Atlanta Falcons. Falcons medical staff rushed to the field within moments, and the Lions' trainers joined soon after.
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He received first aid on the field from both teams' medical crews. Norris was taken out of the field on a stretcher, loaded into a waiting ambulance, and transported to a hospital for further treatment.
When play resumed after the injury setback, Falcons player Emory Jones took the snap but stayed still with the ball as players from both teams stood motionless at the line of scrimmage, allowing the clock to run. The Lions were ahead 17-10 when the game was ultimately stopped. The match remained stopped for several minutes before officials suspended play entirely with 6.19 minutes left on the clock.
Meanwhile, the Lions will return home to host the Miami Dolphins in their third preseason matchup on Saturday, August 16. The Falcons, meanwhile, remain in Atlanta for another home game next Friday against the Tennessee Titans.