Lions’ Saivion Smith exits game in ambulance vs. Patriots with neck injury

Lions safety Saivion Smith was taken off the field in an ambulance early in Sunday’s game against the Patriots. The team announced he was being taken to a local hospital to be evaluated for a neck injury. Smith is in concussion protocol, according to NFL Network, and tests revealed no issues with his neck.

Lions coach Dan Campbell said after the game that Smith has full motor skills and that the team will try to get him on the flight home.

Smith’s was one of the multiple injuries the Lions’ secondary suffered on Sunday. Defensive backs Will Harris, Jeff Okudah, DeShon Elliott and Ifeatu Melifonwu picked up injuries in addition to Smith.

Lions CB Saivion Smith is being taken to a local hospital to be evaluated for a neck injury.

— Detroit Lions PR (@LionsPR) October 9, 2022

The 24-year-old, who was making his first start for the Lions, went down on Detroit’s second defensive play of the game after contact with Patriots tight end Hunter Henry. Smith remained motionless on the ground as the team’s medical staff attended to him and put him on a backboard. The TV broadcast said Smith’s father accompanied him in the ambulance and later reported Smith has movement in his extremities.

Later in the game, the Lions announced that Harris was questionable with a groin injury, then downgraded him to out. Okudah stood on the sideline trying to work out a shoulder/arm injury. Elliott was carted off with a leg injury. Melifonwu came in to replace Elliott and then immediately took a hit and walked to the sideline to be examined for an ankle injury. Elliott and Okudah returned to the game.

For New England, running back Damien Harris was downgraded to out by the third quarter due to a hamstring injury. He carried for 11 yards on four attempts before exiting.

(Photo: Nick Grace / Getty Images)