One week after a collision he was involved in caused a game-ending injury, Atlanta Falcons rookie running back Nathan Carter said knowing that the Lions' Morice Norris was doing better made it easier for him to take the field Friday night and carry the ball without being tentative.

The Detroit Lions and Atlanta Falcons preseason game was suspended after defensive back Morice Norris was taken off the field by an ambulance.

While Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier have the Atlanta Falcons running back on lockdown, rookie Nathan Carter showed he's capable of playing in the NFL.

When Falcons coach Raheem Morris explained the decision to end Friday night's preseason game after Lions safety Morice Norris suffered a potentially serious head/neck injury, Morris said he didn't know whether the league approved of the move.

Second-year defensive lineman Brandon Dorlus earned the second-highest grade in Friday's opener with an impressive 92.2. Wide receiver Chris Blair was the highest-graded offensive player (91.3 overall), while linebacker Josh Woods was the fourth player with an elite PFF grade (91.4).

The Detroit Lions will be without their top tight end for the final joint practice against the Miami Dolphins. Lions coach Dan Campbell said Thursday that Sam LaPorta is dealing with a minor injury and will be out for some time. It is not expected to be a long-term injury, but he could miss multiple days.

The second-year signal-caller had just unloaded a deep touchdown pass to wide receiver Ray Ray McCloud when a scrum broke out and players from both sidelines joined the melee.