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Coaches Agree to End Preseason Game Early After Scary Injury
9 Aug
Summary
- Coaches Dan Campbell and Raheem Morris ended preseason game early
- Player Morice Norris suffered a serious injury, shaking up players
- Coaches focused on player health, not league approval
On August 6, 2025, during a preseason game between the Detroit Lions and Atlanta Falcons, a serious injury to player Morice Norris prompted the head coaches to agree to end the game early. Detroit's Dan Campbell and Atlanta's Raheem Morris didn't care about what the NFL league office thought, as their sole focus was on Norris and the well-being of their players.
Norris suffered a frightening injury after a tackle attempt, with his head visibly snapping back. The players on both sidelines were clearly shaken by the incident, and neither Campbell nor Morris were willing to continue the game. "I don't think anybody on that sideline wanted to play," said Lions quarterback Kyle Allen.
The NFL ultimately didn't take issue with the coaches' decision to effectively cut the game short by a quarter. In a preseason game, the league office likely understood the priority of player safety over the result of an exhibition match.
The coaches' actions demonstrate a growing emphasis on prioritizing player health, both physical and mental, over the demands of the league or broadcast partners. This incident serves as a reminder that the well-being of the athletes should always come first in professional sports.
