Detroit Lions CB Saivion Smith enters concussion protocol, has no neck issues
Saivion Smith was the latest NFL player to suffer a scary injury in the league over the last week. Early in the first quarter at New England, the Detroit Lions corner fell to the field after a block injured his neck. He eventually had to be stretchered was driven off the field in an ambulance.
Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network provided an update on Monday on Smith’s injuries. He says Smith has entered the league’s new concussion protocols but that the evaluations showed no injuries to his neck.
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This was Smith’s first appearance of the season and he posted one tackle before the injury. It was just his third career game in the pros after leaving Alabama in 2018.
This was yet another tough injury to look over the last few weeks in the NFL. However, this is a positive update for Smith considering how concerning it looked to start. Now it’s all about when he can clear protocols and return to the field for Detroit.
Fox Broadcast: Saivion Smith has movement in extremities after scary neck injury
Detroit Lions defensive back Saivion Smith is being evaluated for a neck injury but has feeling in his extremities, according to FOX Sports. He was taken out of the game on an ambulance early in the first quarter after a scary collision.
He was injured while defending Patriots tight end Hunter Henry. Smith’s head hit Henry in the chest and he fell to the ground after the hit. Smith’s father was seen getting into the front of the ambulance on FOX, according to Ben Volin of the Boston Globe.
Smith was an undrafted free agent coming out of Alabama in 2018. He began his college career at LSU before transferring down to Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College. He then went to Alabama to finish his college career.
In his one season at Alabama, Smith recorded 60 total tackles and had three interceptions, one of which he returned for a touchdown. He recorded five pass deflections that season as well but was not drafted in the 2019 NFL Draft.
The Jaguars were the first team to give him a chance at the NFL level, placing him on the practice squad. Smith has since been part of practice squads or active roster with the Dallas Cowboys, Seattle Seahawks, Denver Broncos, San Francisco 49ers and now the Lions.