After a long offseason, the Falcons played their first exhibition game Friday against the Lions at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
However, the game was suspended with 6:33 to play in the fourth quarter after Detroit’s Morice Norris was injured, necessitating an ambulance to come onto the field.
Here’s the recap of our live updates heading into the game and from the field.
The exhibition game between the Falcons and Lions is officially suspended. Both teams took the field after the injury to Morice Norris and stood in a prayer circle.
It appeared initially that the players were going to have to stand on the field for the remaining 15 minutes, but the referee called it with 6:33 left on the clock after a decision by the NFL office in New York. Undoubtedly the correct decision.
The entire Lions sideline came onto the field, and coach Dan Campbell called everyone together after Norris was put into the ambulance.
Lions: 17
Falcons: 10
Entering the fourth quarter
Lions safety Morice Norris is down with an injury, and it appears to be serious.
Players on both sidelines have taken a knee, and an ambulance is on the field.
Lions: 17
Falcons: 10
34 seconds left in the third quarter
Jackson Meeks — a former Georgia Bulldog — put the Lions ahead with a 1-yard touchdown reception that left the Falcons trailing 17-10 with 45 seconds left in the third quarter. ... Meeks is the Lions' leading receiver through three quarters with 78 yards.
Falcons kicker Lenny Krieg's 53-yard field-goal attempt went wide left. He's 1-for-2 in the game, with one made from 57 yards and the one missed from 53.
The Falcons and Lions are tied at 10-10 with 7:08 left in the third quarter.
Emory Jones — who played at Florida, Arizona State and Cincinnati after Heard County High School — will start the second half at quarterback for the Falcons.
The Lions began the second half by driving for a 57-yard field goal by Jake Bates.
The score is tied at 10-10 with 11:48 left in the third quarter.
Lions: 7
Falcons: 10
HALFTIME
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