Lions Lose 3 Players for Entire Season After 2nd Preseason Game

Aug 8, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell reacts on the field after an injury to safety Morice Norris (26) (not shown) during the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
Aug 8, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell reacts on the field after an injury to safety Morice Norris (26) (not shown) during the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images | Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

The Detroit Lions earned a 17-10 victory against the Atlanta Falcons in their second preseason game, but the bigger story was the slew of injuries that happened on Friday night.

Morice Norris was the most concerning after he was taken off in an ambulance in the fourth quarter, but the second-year safety has been released from the hospital and is now in concussion protocol according to Dan Campbell on Monday morning. 

While Norris appears to have avoided the worst, several other Lions were injured in Friday’s game, leaving Detroit shorthanded as they prepare for their Sept. 7 opener against the Green Bay Packers.

Lions Place 3 Players on Season-Ending IR After Falcons Game

The Lions announced several roster moves on Sunday afternoon as offensive linemen Justin Herron and Colby Sorsdal and tight end Kenny Yeboah were placed on season-ending injured reserve. The Lions also waived running back Jabari Small with an injury settlement and signed offensive linemen Gunner Britton and Keaton Sutherland, tight end Gunnar Oakes and running back Deon Jackson to take their place.

According to Dave Birkett of The Detroit Free Press, Herring was injured during pregame warmups and left the field with trainers. Photos showed Herron walking off the field with an aircast on his right arm, which likely was the cause to place him on injured reserve.

Sorsdal was injured on his first snap of Friday’s game after replacing starter Tate Ratledge. The fifth-round pick in the 2023 draft was able to stay in the game as he vied for a backup spot along the offensive line but ultimately had to leave the game.

While Sorsdal and Herring were injured against the Falcons, Yeboah’s ankle injury happened against the Los Angeles Chargers in the Hall of Fame Game. While he returned to practice last week and played 21 snaps against the Falcons, he apparently aggravated the injury as he battled Shane Zylstra for the No. 3 tight end spot.

The injuries add to what is already a growing list on injured reserve. Defensive tackle Levi Onwuzurike was lost for the year when he tore his ACL early in camp. Rookie safety Dan Jackson and second-year pro Ennis Rakestraw Jr. were placed on IR last week, joining running back Kye Robichaux.

Of course, this was an ongoing theme last season when Detroit had 16 players on injured reserve at the end of the year. While they looked for better health this season, they’ve gotten off to a rough start and will have to find a way to overcome as they put together their roster over the final two preseason games.

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