Lions defensive back Smith carted off the field vs. Pats

Posted October 09, 2022 7:00 am

By KYLE HIGHTOWER

Detroit Lions cornerback Saivion Smith, lying on stretcher, is loaded into an ambulance during the first half of an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Sunday, Oct. 9, 2022, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer) The Associated Press

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) - Lions coach Dan Campbell said defensive back Saivion Smith had full motor skills after being carted off the field following a collision early in the first quarter of the Detroit's matchup with the New England Patriots on Sunday.

Smith remained down on the field, laying face down on his side following the Patriots' second offensive play of the game with 10:29 left in the quarter.

Trainers immediately called for a stretcher as Smith was attended to. He was on the field for several minutes as an ambulance was driven onto the field. The entire Lions bench emptied onto the field and they circled Smith before he was loaded and driven off.

The Lions announced he had been taken to a hospital to be evaluated for a neck injury. Campbell said after the game that the hope was that Smith would be able to fly back with the team to Detroit.

"So he can come home. So that's good news," Campbell said.

Smith, making his first start for the Lions, was promoted from the practice squad this week after a rash of injuries to Detroit's secondary.

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An ambulance parks on the field at Gillette Stadium as Detroit Lions cornerback Saivion Smith is assisted into the vehicle during the first half of an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Sunday, Oct. 9, 2022, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer) The Associated Press

An ambulance transports Detroit Lions cornerback Saivion Smith off the field at Gillette Stadium during the first half of an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Sunday, Oct. 9, 2022, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer) The Associated Press

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