EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- In the NFL they keep ambulances on site for a reason.

Lions linebacker Zack Follett was the reason on Sunday in the Lions’ 28-20 loss to the N.Y. Giants at the New Meadowlands Stadium.

On a kickoff return, Follett was trying to bust a wedge, when he took a helmet-on-helmet hit and collapsed to the turf.

He appeared motionless as medical personnel from both teams gathered and eventually placed him on a back board and had him carted off the field. He was shipped to Hackensack Medical Center.

“Any time they bring a back board out for a player it’s a scary situation. Our players were very concerned ...’’ Lions coach Jim Schwartz said. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to Zack. He’s a valuable member of this team, he’s a favorite in our locker room, he’s a favorite across the city of Detroit and rightfully so. We’ll keep him in our prayers and hope for the best.’’

The news after the game appeared to be positive. According to a Lions spokesman, there was no evidence of a fracture of the cervical spine. He also had movement in all four extremities. He stayed the night in New Jersey where he was expected to undergo extensive tests and evaluation.

As Follett was attended to on the field, his teammates gathered around him, some on bended knee.

“That’s a sad situation, at some point they have to outlaw the wedge in football. It’s the wedge period. You’ve got two 300-pound guys coming to you, they want you to hit the wedge,’’ safety C.C. Brown said.

The Lions had to regroup and try to win the football game.

“Zack got hurt, it was what it was. We knew what it was. We were down four points, we kept Zack in our minds but it didn’t change what we were trying to do,’’ center Dominic Raiola said.

Safety Louis Delmas called the situation mind-boggling.

Quarterback Drew Stanton, who played the second half for the injured Shaun Hill, had enough on his mind.

“It’s unfortunate. You’re out there trying to win a football game, but then reality sets in that we’re just playing a game. We hope he’s all right,’’ Stanton said. (Follow me on Twitter @PaulaPasche.)