EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- The Detroit Lions took control of the NFC North on Monday night, but lost linebacker Jarrad Davis to a brain injury in the process.

Davis suffered the injury while trying to tackle running back Paul Perkins in a 24-10 win against the Giants. Davis was hit from behind by receiver Odell Beckham, which launched him head first into Perkins.

He was evaluated under a medical tent on the sideline, then returned to the locker room for further observation. The club said he was not allowed to talk after the game, which means he's in concussion protocol.

Players are supposed to talk after games, but are prohibited from doing so if they have been diagnosed with a brain injury.

Davis was Detroit's first-round pick in this year's draft. He was plugged in the starting lineup immediately, and has received rave reviews throughout the offseason. He played every snap in the opener, led the Lions in tackles and even recovered a fumble.

Before leaving against New York, Davis made six tackles and recorded the first sack of his career when he picked up Eli Manning and threw him to the turf.

Now it's unclear whether the Lions will have their budding young linebacker next week when they return home to face the defending NFC champion Atlanta Falcons -- which just drilled Green Bay 34-23 and is one of the NFC's three remaining unbeaten teams.

Detroit replaced Davis in the middle of the defense with Tahir Whitehead, who played the position throughout last season. He finished with a team-high eight tackles and picked off one pass (though that occurred before the position change).

Rookie Jalen Reeves-Maybin then replaced Whitehead on the weak side.