Saivion Smith injury update: Lions defensive back in concussion protocol

Detroit Lions defensive back Saivion Smith had a scary injury situation on Sunday, but Monday’s update qualifies as good news.

Among the changes to the Detroit Lions secondary for Sunday’s game against the New England Patriots was the practice squad promotion of Saivion Smith. Smith, a cornerback by trade, started the game at one of the safety spots.

On the second play of New England’s first offensive series, Smith made seemingly innocuous contact with Patriots’ tight end Hunter Henry. But Smith quickly flailed to the ground, possibly knocked out or worse in a very scary injury scene.

Smith was eventually taken from the field by ambulance to a local hospital, for evaluation on what the Lions initially announced as a neck injury.

Smith had movement in his extremities at the hospital, which was the first positive development reported on the television broadcast. He was out of the hospital and cleared to fly home with the team, which was notable in and of itself and another mark in the good column.

On Monday, we got a further update on Smith’s condition.

Detroit Lions: Saivion Smith injury update is very good news

According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, citing a source, Smith is in concussion protocol. Tests also revealed no issues with his neck.

Given how grave it seemed in the moment, with obvious concern for his condition until further notice, that Smith apparently has no issues with his neck is truly a miracle.

A concussion is obviously no slouch of an injury itself, especially with how Smith looked at the moment he went down. He may well have been knocked out cold. When he might return to play is unclear, but it’s a background point to the broader good news that tests showed he doesn’t have neck damage or anything worse (spine, etc.).