Sports

PHOTOS: Falcons-Lions exhibition opener suspended after injury to Lions player

The Falcons-Lions exhibition opener Friday night at Mercedes-Benz Stadium was suspended with 6:33 remaining after a serious injury to Detroit defensive back Morice Norris.

Falcons players form a prayer circle after Detroit Lions safety Morice Norris (26) was injured and taken off field in a stretcher in the fourth quarter of an NFL preseason game against the Detroit Lions at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Friday, August 8, 2025. The game was suspended. (Arvin Temkar / AJC)

Detroit Lions safety Morice Norris (26) is hit in the helmet by Atlanta Falcons running back Nathan Carter (38) during the second half of an NFL preseason football game Friday, Aug. 8, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

Detroit Lions safety Morice Norris (26) is seen injured after making a tackle in the fourth quarter of an NFL preseason game against the Detroit Lions at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Friday, August 8, 2025. Norris was taken off field in a stretcher and an ambulance and the game was suspended. (Arvin Temkar / AJC)

Falcons players kneel after Detroit Lions safety Morice Norris (26) was injured in the fourth quarter of an NFL preseason game against the Detroit Lions at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Friday, August 8, 2025. Norris was taken off field in a stretcher and an ambulance and the game was suspended. (Arvin Temkar / AJC)

Detroit Lions players kneel after Lions safety Morice Norris (26) was injured in the fourth quarter of an NFL preseason game against the Detroit Lions at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Friday, August 8, 2025. Norris was taken off field in a stretcher and an ambulance and the game was suspended. (Arvin Temkar / AJC)

A stretcher is brought out of an ambulance after Detroit Lions safety Morice Norris (26) was injured making a tackle in the fourth quarter of an NFL preseason game against the Detroit Lions at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Friday, August 8, 2025. Norris was taken off field in a stretcher and an ambulance and the game was suspended. (Arvin Temkar / AJC)

Atlanta Falcons and Detroit Lions players stand on the field hand in hand together after Detroit Lions safety Morice Norris was injured during the second half of an NFL preseason football game Friday, Aug. 8, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

An ambulance prepares to transport Detroit Lions safety Morice Norris after being injured against the Atlanta Falcons during the second half of an NFL preseason football game Friday, Aug. 8, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

Detroit Lions players stand on the field after safety Morice Norris was injured during the second half of an NFL preseason football game against the Atlanta Falcons Friday, Aug. 8, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

Falcons and Detroit Lions players embrace after Lions safety Morice Norris (26) was injured and taken off field in a stretcher in the fourth quarter of an NFL preseason game against the Detroit Lions at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Friday, August 8, 2025. The game was suspended. (Arvin Temkar / AJC)

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Chris Blair (19) and wide receiver Quincy Skinner, Jr. (83) celebrate after a touchdown during the first half of an NFL preseason game against the Detroit Lions at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Friday, August 8, 2025. (Arvin Temkar / AJC)

Atlanta Falcons place kicker Lenny Krieg (46) makes a field goal after a touchdown during the first half of an NFL preseason game against the Detroit Lions at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Friday, August 8, 2025. (Arvin Temkar / AJC)

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Dylan Drummond (81) runs under pressure from Detroit Lions linebacker Trevor Nowaske (53) and Detroit Lions cornerback Avonte Maddox (29) during the first half of an NFL preseason game against the Detroit Lions at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Friday, August 8, 2025. (Arvin Temkar / AJC)

Atlanta Falcons cornerback Dee Alford (20) runs the ball during the first half of an NFL preseason game against the Detroit Lions at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Friday, August 8, 2025. (Arvin Temkar / AJC)

Atlanta Falcons cornerback Dee Alford (20) and Atlanta Falcons cornerback Lamar Jackson (38) put pressure on Detroit Lions wide receiver Tom Kennedy (85) during the first half of an NFL preseason game against the Detroit Lions at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Friday, August 8, 2025. (Arvin Temkar / AJC)

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Easton Stick (12) goes for a pass during the first half of an NFL preseason game against the Detroit Lions at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Friday, August 8, 2025. (Arvin Temkar / AJC)

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Credit: arvin.temkar@ajc.com

Falcons players form a prayer circle after Detroit Lions safety Morice Norris (26) was injured and taken off field in a stretcher in the fourth quarter of an NFL preseason game against the Detroit Lions at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Friday, August 8, 2025. The game was suspended. (Arvin Temkar / AJC)

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