It’s not just the players on an NFL field that have to worry about safety and staying out of harm’s way.
Sideline official Nick Piazza during Sunday’s game between the New Orleans Saints and Detroit Lions unfortunately learned that the hard way.
During a play in the second quarter of the game, Saints running back Alvin Kamara was running towards the sideline to get out of bounds when he was pushed by a defender.
This sent him tumbling towards the legs of the official, who tried to jump over the falling player but couldn’t avoid contact.
Piazza falls awkwardly and then is shown holding his right leg, which is bent at an awkward angle, screaming in obvious pain.
WARNING: Graphic content.
Kamara appeared to check on the man and the game was stopped while the official received medical attention before being taken off the field on a cart.
According to New Orleans Saints writer John DeShazier, Piazza suffered a dislocated knee as well as a fractured fibula. Thankfully, his blood vessels remained intact.
DeShazier added that surgery for Piazza is likely to happen next week.
The Saints ended up losing the game, 33-28, although Kamara had a solid day, racking up 109 total yards and scoring two TDs.