Sideline official injured in Saints-Lions game likely to have surgery after fracturing fibula

A sideline official fractured his fibula in a collision with Alvin Kamara during Sunday’s matchup between the Detroit Lions and New Orleans Saints and is likely to need surgery, the Saints said Monday. The game was paused late in the second quarter as the official, Nick Piazza, was stretchered off the field after the running back tumbled into his legs.

Advertisement

Piazza since underwent MRI testing and was determined to also have dislocated his knee. Piazza’s blood vessels remain intact and he will likely have surgery next week.

The broadcast briefly showed Piazza, confirmed by the NFL to be a member of the chain crew, writhing in pain on the ground after Kamara tumbled into his lower legs. He was taken off the field with an air cast on his left leg.

Detroit was up 21-7 at the time of the injury and went on to win 33-28. The NFL said the chain crew would operate with one fewer member for the rest of the game.

NFL Week 13 scores: Live updates, schedule, injury report, playoff standings, odds, predictions and more

Required reading

(Photo of Kamara: Stephen Lew / USA Today)

ncG1vNJzZmismJqutbTLnquim16YvK57lGpncHFoaHxzfJFsZmpqX2WAcL%2FInZyloZ6aeri70aScq2WimrOmvsSeZKKmmqq%2FunnSmqCnrKNiuaq7zaxm