On Sunday, Detroit Lions cornerback Saivion Smith left his NFL debut for 2022 in an ambulance.
During a second-and-9 play in the first quarter of the Lions’ game against the New England Patriots, the former Alabama defensive back suffered an injury.
As the receiver stepped off the line of scrimmage, Smith slammed into New England tight end Hunter Henry, who was lined up in the slot. But Smith twisted and went face first to the ground at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts after making contact with Henry with his helmet.
Henry caught the ball for 23 yards on the play to the Detroit 21-yard line, but the action swiftly moved back up the field, where Smith was being treated by medical staff while being positioned on a backboard.
A Detroit Lions fan emerged from the stands carrying Smith after he had been placed in an ambulance for transportation.
The Lions said that Smith had been brought to the hospital for a neck injury evaluation.
The practice squad for the Detroit Lions includes Smith. He was added to the active roster by the Lions for the contest on Sunday.
Smith had “complete motor skills,” according to Detroit coach Dan Campbell, and he wanted to travel home with the team after the Lions’ 29-0 defeat.
Campbell remarked, “So that’s wonderful news. Naturally, the crew was pleased to hear that. There was a breath of relief because everyone was worried about Saivion.
Smith had one season of eligibility remaining when he left Alabama after the 2018 season. He signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars as a rookie free agency after going undrafted in the 2019 NFL Draft. Jacksonville released Smith at the conclusion of the preseason to bring its roster down to the size allotted for the regular season.
Prior to the XFL’s season being abruptly ended by the coronavirus epidemic in 2020, Smith was a member of the Houston Roughnecks.
Smith mostly served on the Dallas Cowboys practice squad for the 2020 NFL season. However, he also participated in six games, making one start. Last season, he played in 84 special teams plays and 75 defensive snaps while contributing three tackles.
Smith was claimed by the Seattle Seahawks after the Cowboys waived him in May 2021, but they released him just before training camp. In time for the 2021 preseason, he signed with the Denver Broncos. Denver added Smith to its practice squad after he failed to make the regular-season roster, where he spent the first seven weeks of the year.
Smith was added to the San Francisco 49ers’ active roster on December 11. Smith was once more released after participating on special teams in San Francisco’s 26-23 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals on December 12. He participated on special teams in Detroit’s following two games after the Lions claimed him off waivers.
Smith was a member of the Lions for 2022. He was added to the practice squad after the preseason, and on Sunday, he played in his tenth NFL regular-season game despite failing to make the 53-man roster.
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