Bijan Robinson drops 5-word message over Morice Norris' injury as Lions vs. Falcons preseason game gets suspended

Bijan Robinson reacts to Morice Norris
Bijan Robinson reacts to Morice Norris' injury - via Getty/CMS

Saturday's preseason game between the Detroit Lions and Atlanta Falcons ended early after Morice Norris, a former Lions safety now with the Falcons, suffered a suspected head/neck injury. Bijan Robinson, Atlanta's star running back, offered his prayers.

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The one-time Pro Bowler wrote on his social media account:

"Morice bro! We all Praying."
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The incident occurred on the first play of the fourth quarter. With the Lions ahead 17-10, Norris appeared to take an accidental knee to the head while attempting to tackle Falcons running back Nathan Carter. He lay on the ground for 20 minutes while medical staff attended to him, and both teams gathered in a circle, hands held together.

An ambulance eventually entered the field, and he was stretchered out of Mercedes-Benz Stadium and taken to a local hospital, being joined there by his mother, Francina Pleasant.

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On the next play, Falcons quarterback Emory Jones held onto the ball after the snap, as both teams largely just stood where they were, making little movement, if any. Finally, with 6:31 left, the game was called.


Lions, Falcons players, coaches react to preseason clash ending early after Morice Norris injury

After the game, Lions quarterback Kyle Allen said he was praying for Morice Norris:

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"It's a terrible game sometimes."

Lions coach Dan Campbell said that Norris was breathing, talking and moving and would undergo more tests. He continued by calling the experience "an eye-opener":

"It hits a little different. It puts things in perspective. ... It's a violent game and we love it. And when something like this happens, the silver lining is ... the brotherhood."
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Falcons counterpart Raheem Morris, whom Campbell praised as "the ultimate class act" for electing not to continue with the game, said:

"You look in their eyes, and you saw it, and you get an opportunity to address the team and talk about your prayers and your thoughts for Mo and his family. ... It was pretty simple."

Falcons wide receiver Casey Washington said he and his teammates were also immediately clear about not wanting to play on after what they had witnessed:

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"That's somebody's life, and that's bigger than football."

Next for the Lions and Falcons are the Miami Dolphins on Friday and the Tennessee Titans on Saturday, respectively.

Miami Dolphins Nation! Check out the latest Miami Dolphins Schedule and dive into the Dolphins Depth Chart for NFL Season 2024-25.

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Edited by Andre Castillo
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