Falcons RB Ito Smith carted off the field after head-to-head collision

ATLANTA, GA - OCTOBER 20: Ito Smith #25 of the Atlanta Falcons rushes in the first half of an NFL game against the Los Angeles Rams at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on October 20, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)

By D. Orlando Ledbetter, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

ATLANTA — Falcons running back Ito Smith was carted off the field after a scary collision with Rams linebacker Cory Littleton Sunday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

The play happened on a third-and-9 from the Rams' 49  late in the first quarter. On the television replays, Littleton appeared to lower his head as the top of the players' helmets hit head-on.

It was announced at halftime that Smith suffered head and neck injuries and would not return.

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Smith (5-foot-9 and 195 pounds) lost the battle to Littleton (6-3, 228) and fell backward. He remained on the ground before the cart came on the field.

Dan Quinn watches on as a cart is driven onto the field for the injured Ito Smith #25 of the Atlanta Falcons in the first half of an NFL game against the Los Angeles Rams. Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)

This article was written by D. Orlando Ledbetter, Atlanta Falcons reporter for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.