The 24-year-old Norris was hurt with 14:50 left in the preseason game after hitting Falcons running back Nate Carter. He hit Carter with his facemask facing the running back’s midsection and his head snapped back after assisting on the tackle.
When play resumed, Atlanta quarterback Emory Jones snapped the ball as players from both teams stood at the line of scrimmage as the clock continued to run.
“Usually you see a couple trainers out there,” Lions quarterback Kyle Allen said. “It’s never good when they bring out the stretchers.”
With 6:31 remaining in the fourth quarter, an official announced the game had been suspended “per New York” with the Lions leading the Falcons, 17-10.
Detroit coach Dan Campbell and Atlanta coach Raheem Morris made the decision to not finish the game.
“Raheem Morris is a class act,” Campbell said. “He’s the ultimate class act. We agreed it just didn’t feel right to finish that game.”
Norris, a former Fresno State standout, played in eight games last season after earning a spot on the team as an undrafted rookie.
