The opening week of the NFL preseason rarely passes without drama, but the 2025 campaign has already delivered a series of injury scares, emotional moments, and hard-hitting reminders of the game’s physical toll. With rosters in flux and hopefuls vying for a spot on the final 53-man squads, several high-profile and up-and-coming players found themselves at the center of the action—sometimes for all the wrong reasons.
Perhaps the most gut-wrenching scene unfolded at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Friday night, where Detroit Lions safety Morice Norris was taken off the field in an ambulance after a harrowing collision with Atlanta Falcons rookie running back Nathan Carter. With 14:50 left in the fourth quarter, Norris went low for a tackle, his facemask striking Carter’s midsection and causing his head to snap back violently. The stadium fell silent as medical staff rushed to Norris’ side, treating him for nearly 20 minutes before he was wheeled away to Grady Memorial Hospital for overnight observation.
During the extended delay, players from both teams joined hands at midfield, a powerful display of unity that transcended the scoreboard. The gravity of the moment was not lost on anyone. Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell recounted, “Raheem Morris is the ultimate class act. We agreed it just didn't feel right to finish that game.” Ultimately, with 6:31 remaining and the Lions leading 17-10, the decision was made to suspend the game—a rare but poignant move in the preseason.
Quarterback Kyle Allen of the Lions described the collective mood on the sidelines: “Usually, you see a couple trainers out there. It's never good when they bring out the stretchers. We just started praying for him and hoping for the best. When it's taking that long, with that many people and that many trainers around him, you're just hoping for the best.” He added, “I don't think anyone on that sideline wanted to play. We weren't part of that decision, but you could just look in everyone's eyes and see it wasn't worth it.” Falcons wide receiver Casey Washington echoed these sentiments, stating, “That's somebody's life, and that's bigger than football.”
Thankfully, Norris provided a positive update the next morning, posting on social media, “I'm all good man. Don't stress it. Appreciate all the check ins and love.” Coach Campbell confirmed that Norris’s mother, Francina Pleasant, was with him at the hospital and reflected on the brotherhood that moments like these reveal. “It’s an eye‑opener. It hits a little different,” Campbell said. “It puts things in perspective. And I'll tell you what, man, it's a violent game and we love it. And when something like this happens, the silver lining is … the brotherhood. I mean, to see all those guys from that team, our team kind of come together and everybody's thinking about another player just means a lot.”
Elsewhere in the NFC, the Minnesota Vikings were dealt a cruel blow as wide receiver Rondale Moore, just a year removed from a season-ending right knee injury, suffered another significant knee injury—this time to his left leg—during Saturday’s preseason opener against the Houston Texans. Moore, who signed with the Vikings in March eyeing a career resurgence and a chance to compete for WR3 snaps behind Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, was injured while attempting a punt return in the second quarter. After being tackled near the sideline by Houston linebacker Jamal Hill, Moore immediately signaled distress. According to The Athletic’s Alec Lewis, Moore wasn’t putting any weight on his left leg and was visibly frustrated as he was carted off the field, his face buried in a towel.
Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell called Moore’s injury “pretty significant” and “heartbreaking,” especially given the receiver’s recent history. “It's a heartbreaking day given Moore's history,” O’Connell told reporters, noting that Moore would undergo an MRI on Sunday to determine the full extent of the damage. Moore’s window of opportunity in Minnesota had appeared to widen earlier in the week when Jordan Addison was handed a three-game suspension by the NFL for a 2024 DUI charge. Moore, a former second-round pick out of Purdue, had shown promise in his rookie year with the Arizona Cardinals, catching 54 passes for 435 yards and averaging 8.1 yards per punt return. But injuries and inconsistent roles had limited his impact since. Now, his pursuit of a career renaissance in Minnesota faces another daunting setback.
The injury bug didn’t stop there. In Buffalo, several Bills defenders went down in a 34-25 preseason loss to the New York Giants. Cornerback Taron Johnson, the starting nickel, was evaluated for a concussion after a first-quarter collision but was cleared to return—though he did not re-enter the game. Linebacker Keonta Jenkins suffered a laceration to his left hand but returned on the next possession, finishing with a game-high six tackles and a quarterback hit. Second-year cornerback Daequan Hardy wasn’t as fortunate, exiting with a shoulder injury that required X-rays. He did not return, casting a shadow over his bid for a roster spot as a return specialist and backup corner. Undrafted rookie Wande Owens also left the game with a bloody nose but returned and recorded two tackles. While the Bills avoided major catastrophe, the night was a reminder of how quickly fortunes can change in the preseason.
Over in the Bay Area, San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan provided a slew of injury updates following a 30-9 preseason loss to the Denver Broncos. Player Sigle suffered a knee bruise, but Shanahan downplayed the severity, saying, “I don't think so. I don't want to speak too soon—it looked more like just a knee bruise and stuff, but we'll have to see.” Rookie cornerback Upton Stout was held out due to a tight calf, a precautionary move. Defensive lineman Mykel Williams, who hyperextended his knee during a joint practice with Denver, is expected to miss about a week, as is safety Richie Grant, who is also dealing with a knee issue. Meanwhile, cornerback Renardo Green and wide receiver Jacob Cowing are nursing hamstring injuries but could return during the week, depending on their workouts.
Injuries are an unfortunate reality of NFL football, especially in the preseason when players are fighting for roster spots and coaches are evaluating depth. But the events of this past weekend served as a stark reminder of the risks involved and the resilience required to play the game. From Norris’s emotional exit and subsequent reassurance to Moore’s devastating setback and the slew of minor injuries in Buffalo and San Francisco, the league’s opening act has been as sobering as it has been dramatic.
As teams regroup and await further medical updates, the focus shifts to recovery, support, and the next opportunity. For now, the brotherhood of football stands front and center, a testament to the unity and heart that define the sport—even in the face of adversity.
