During the Detroit Lions vs. New Orleans Saints game, an NFL sideline official took a vicious hit.
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — At a Detroit vs. New Orleans game, a member of the chain crew was tackled by Saints running back Alvin Kamara, resulting in a dislocated knee that required hospitalization.
According to Doug Miller, a spokesman for the Saints, Nick Piazza’s status at University Hospital is stable.
In order to provide Piazza with medical attention while he lay on the turf beside the Detroit sideline, the game was postponed during the first half by both teams.
After Lions linebacker Derrick Barnes shoved Kamara hard over the sideline, causing the running back to lose his footing at the New Orleans 18-yard line, Piazza’s legs were taken out from under him. Kamara watched as Piazza writhed on the ground.
After Piazza’s leg was fitted with an air cast, he was carried from the field to an ambulance.
According to Miller, the club anticipates learning more about Piazza’s status on Monday.
This was the first time a chain crew member had been removed from a Saints game at the Superdome since 2010. During a game that season, Courtney Roby, a receiver for the Saints, was punt coverage gunner when he collided forcefully with Al Nastasi Jr. of the chain crew.
Nastasi was sent to a neuro-intensive care unit after suffering a severe head injury on the turf. After a while, he healed enough to go back to work with the chain team.
