Two days after suffering a serious injury that forced an NFL preseason game between the Detroit Lions and Atlanta Falcons to be suspended in the fourth quarter on Friday night, Lions safety Morice Norris was back at the team’s headquarters and training facility in Allen Park on Sunday, a league source confirmed to The Detroit News.
The Associated Press was the first to report Norris’ return to the facility.
Norris, 24, was taken off the field at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta via ambulance after his head crashed into the knee of Falcons and ex-Michigan State running back Nathan Carter with 14:50 remaining in the game. Following the hit, he remained on the ground for several minutes as medical personnel from both teams rushed to his aid.
The game was ultimately suspended, although not until both teams retook the field. The Falcons snapped the ball, but neither team participated in the play, instead choosing to circle up and bow their heads in prayer while several minutes came off the game clock. Officials eventually intervened and announced the game was suspended.
Norris, a second-year safety who made two regular-season appearances — plus a playoff game — for Detroit as an undrafted rookie, was taken to Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta and held overnight for observation. His mother was at the hospital with him, Lions coach Dan Campbell said after the game.
Norris posted an update on Instagram Saturday morning, writing that he was “all good” and urging fans, “don’t stress it.”
“Appreciate all the check-ins and love,” he wrote.
The team did not give a formal diagnosis of Norris’ injury but issued a statement late Friday night at 11:35 p.m. that Norris was in stable condition and had feeling and movement in all of his extremities.
It remains to be seen if or how soon Norris will return to the field, but for the time being, his return to the facility is a positive sign for his recovery.
Originally Published: August 10, 2025 at 10:59 PM EDT