The preseason game between the Detroit Lions and Atlanta Falcons has officially been suspended by the NFL in New York, the referees announced to the stadium.
This comes after Lions defensive back Morice Norris was forced to exit the field in an ambulance following what appeared to be a knee to his head.
Falcons coach Raheem Morris was asked by the team’s broadcast if he had any information on Norris’ condition.
“I don’t,” Morris said. ”It was tough to watch, tough to see.”
Morris said that he thought suspending the game “was the right thing” after speaking with coach Dan Campbell and the officials.
Fourth quarter
It appears the Lions and Falcons are just going to let the clock run and end this preseason game. According to the Atlanta broadcast, some equipment is starting to be packed up on the home side. However, no official word has been given.
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Players from both teams have gathered at midfield, holding hands with their heads bowed. The clock appears to still be running as they do so.
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The ambulance has left the field with Morice Norris after what appears to be a very serious injury.
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The Lions broadcast said Morice Norris “was indeed blinking his eyes” as he was getting loaded into the ambulance.
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The Lions gathered at midfield as Morice Norris was loaded up into the ambulance.
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An ambulance has come out on the field for Norris. Very serious situation in Atlanta as medical personnel continue to tend to the Lions’ cornerback.
Both teams had to leave the field and head to the sideline to clear room for the ambulance.
14:50 -- Lions defensive back Morice Norris goes down with an injury and the backboard and cart immediately come out. Many Lions and Falcons players dropped to their knees and are bowing their heads as Norris is tended to my medical staff.
On replay, it appears Norris took the knee of Atlanta’s Nate Carter to his head while attempting to make a tackle.
Third quarter
0:42 -- Recently-signed running back Jacob Saylors puts together a strong drive to get the Lions in the end zone. He gets 9-of-11 touches on the drive and picked up 44 yards en route to a one-yard touchdown reception for Jackson Meeks. Detroit has now scored on three straight drives (excluding final drive of the first half). Lions 17, Falcons 10
7:04 -- Nate Lynn gets a huge sack on Falcons quarterback Emory Jones to set back what looked like a promising drive for Atlanta. Falcons kicker Lenny Krieg goes wide left on a 53-yard field goal try. Lions will have the chance to regain the lead, starting on their own 35.
11:48 -- Kyle Allen back out at quarterback for the Lions and he converts a crucial first down, finding Ronnie Bell and tacking on a roughing the passer penalty. That sets up Jake Bates to drill a 57-yard field goal and level the game. Lions 10, Falcons 10
Halftime: Falcons 10, Lions 7
The Lions’ defense was just about dominating until the final two minutes and the Falcons retook the lead with an efficient two-minute drive. However, Kyle Allen’s first drive of the game was a big one, nailing a 68-yard bomb to Jackson Meeks and getting Detroit on the board. Lions outgaining the Falcons 170-151.
Second quarter
0:34 -- The Lions defense goes up against a two-minute offense for the first time this preseason and gets burnt for a six-play, 70-yard scoring drive to lose their lead. Falcons 10, Lions 7
2:18 -- Kyle Allen connects with rookie Jackson Meeks on a deep ball and he gets himself to the Atlanta 19 for a 68-yard gain. Biggest throw of the preseason for Allen to set up an 11-yard touchdown toss to Isaac TeSlaa. Lions take the lead. Lions 7, Falcons 3
After a pair of fumbles in the first half for Hendon Hooker, Kyle Allen takes over at quarterback with over five minutes left. Hooker goes 7-for-10 for 38 yards passing, with two fumbles in the first half.
5:31 -- The Falcons get their longest play of the game with Easton Stick finding Dylan Drummond between defenders in the Lions’ secondary. But the Lions benefit from a false start and keep Atlanta from driving deep in their territory. Lions offense gets started again on its own 20-yard line,
9:40 -- And one of the most promising drives of the Lions’ preseason, so far, ends with a turnover in the red zone. Hendon Hooker is stripped of the ball again after being swarmed by defenders.
10:50 -- Hendon Hooker picks up the first down with a dart to Isaac TeSlaa. Lions inside the 15-yard line.
11:07 -- Into the second quarter and Hendon Hooker started getting the offense moving picking up first down on a pass to Jackson Meeks followed by a 15-yard gain to Tom Kennedy, moving deep into Falcons territory. Trystan Colon goes down with an apparent injury on third down, appears his right wrist is being checked by medical staff. Fourth down coming up for the Lions, three yards from the marker.
First quarter
0:00 -- Not much push from the Lions’ O-line early for the running game, Lions go three-and-out after a pair of runs go for -1 yard and Hendon Hooker can only get a four-yard completion to Shane Zylstra on third down. Another hold from the Lions defense has Hooker and Detroit back driving downfield headed into the second quarter.
3:43 -- Detroit’s defense makes quick work of the Falcons again. Running defense has been spot on, holding Atlanta to three yards on four carries. Grant Stuard was all over the drive, making a tackle behind the line on first down and getting in coverage for a second-down incompletion. Lions get the ball back on their own 36.
5:22 -- The Lions can’t convert on 3rd and 4 after offsetting penalties from the Demarco Hellams hit on Craig Reynolds and offensive pass interference on Isaac TeSlaa. A punt for the Lions, who have 34 yards of offense through two drives.
6:19 -- Hendon Hooker picked up a huge first down with a 23-yard scramble. Running back Craig Reynolds took a big hit to his shoulder from Demarco Hellams while running a route. He exited the game after the hit.
8:32 -- The Lions’ defense does well to contain the Falcons’ offense again. Quarterback Easton Stick focused on former Eastern Michigan receiver Dylan Drummond after an early holding penalty. Even after failing to get a first down, Lenny Krieg crushed a 57-yard field goal for the lead. Falcons 3, Lions 0
11:03 -- Hendon Hooker’s first drive leading the offense doesn’t go to plan. The Falcons get pressure on Hooker on second and he’s forced to get rid of the football quickly. Third down Hooker started scrambling and had the ball punched from his grasp, giving Atlanta the ball back and great field position.
11:45 -- The Falcons start with great field position after an illegal formation call against the Lions on the opening kickoff. Despite starting on the 40, the Lions hold the Falcons off thanks to a sack from Al-Quadin Muhammad and a key fourth-down stop. Detroit takes over on offense.
Pregame
After signing with the Lions earlier this week, offensive tackle Justin Herron suffered an injury during warmups. Severity of the injury is unknown, but after Dan Skipper’s injury during the Hall of Fame Game and Jamarco Jones’ practice injury, tackle is a thin position for the Lions.
According to Fox2 Detroit, rookies Tate Ratledge and Tyleik Williams will play tonight, marking the debuts for both players this preseason.
Ratledge started training camp at center, but now looks primed to take over at right guard while Williams has frequently been a first-team defensive tackle in practice.
The Lions also posted videos of the pair warming up in uniform, which they did ahead of the Hall of Fame Game, as well.
The Lions are wearing their typical road white jerseys — which the team calls “The 313″ — in Atlanta tonight.
Rookie wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa getting pregame work in at Mercedes-Benz Stadium after a standout first preseason game, where made two catches for 46 yards.
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The Detroit Lions continue their preseason slate on the road, facing the Atlanta Falcons Friday night.
After a poor showing in the Hall of Fame Game against he Los Angeles Chargers, the Lions will have the advantage of getting through a full four quarters of play before hitting the field at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
The key change going into the game is at quarterback with Hendon Hooker taking the reins for the first half after Kyle Allen got the first shot against the Chargers.
The backup job at quarterback is still wide open and Game 2 of the preseason should hopefully start giving an indication of who has the edge.
We didn’t see Detroit’s top draft picks against the Chargers, so keep an eye out if first-round pick Tyleik Williams or O-lineman Tate Ratledge get their first action in a Lions uniform.
This post will update with inactives, pregame updates, drive summaries, injury updates and more. Follow along throughout the evening.
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