Lions defensive back Saivion Smith recounts scary injury situation

After a very scary situation in Week 5, Lions defensive back Saivion Smith recounted what happened to him against the Patriots.

Part of the Detroit Lions defensive changes in Week 5 against the New England Patriots was Saivion Smith, a cornerback by trade, getting a start at one of the safety spots. But on the second play of the game, he suffered a very scary injury and had to be taken off the field by ambulance.

Smith was cleared of having suffered a brain injury after he complained of severe headaches, but he was found to have a bulging disc in his neck and he’ll have fusion surgery next month. He is obviously on IR and will not play again this season, but that’s a moot point in the bigger picture.

Smith talked to reporters on Wednesday, and he shed some light on his injury. Some incredibly scary light.

Detroit Lions: Saivion Smith injury update

Via Kyle Meinke of MLive.

"It was scary,” Smith said. “That was the scariest thing of my life.”I could see everything, I could hear everything, I saw my teammates on the sideline,” Smith said. “But I just couldn’t move. I was trying to extend my arms, move my legs. I couldn’t do nothing for like 20 seconds.”I guess a bone in my body hit my spine and caused me to lock up like that,”"

Smith was, obviously, temporarily paralized. He said he was able to start moving again once he got in the ambulance, which was frustrating for him in the moment after getting his first start for the Lions. He started one game for the Cowboys as a rookie in 2020.

"Once I got in the ambulance and could start moving again, I was really pissed off,” Smith said. “Because I was like, ‘Damn, I really want to play.’ That was my first start since I got here. I want to play right now, to tell you the truth. I don’t even want to go through and have to sit out the rest of the season.”"

Smith is expected to make a full recovery. He said expects the rehab process to take about five months, and he’s targeting a return for OTAs next spring. Best of luck to him with major surgery and rehab ahead of him.