Johnny Knox is attended to after suffering a spinal injury. (Photo by Scott Boehm/Getty Images)
(CBS) Johnny Knox’s spinal surgery was a success, his agent said on Twitter Monday.
The Bears wide receiver underwent surgery Monday afternoon to stabilize a vertebrae in his mid- to lower back after taking a vicious hit in Sunday’s loss to the Seahawks. Lovie Smith said Knox suffered a fractured vertebrae, but the Bears insist he has a positive prognosis for both his playing career and quality of life. He won’t play the rest of the season, however.
Knox’s agent, Marc Lillibridge, called the surgery success.
@Jknox13 surgery was a success! He is resting now and I speak for myself n his family when I say thank you all so much for ur prayers!!!—
Marc Lillibridge (@NFL_Bridge) December 19, 2011
After catching a 17-yard pass from Caleb Hanie on 3rd-and-6 from the Bears’ own seven yard-line, Knox fumbled the ball. As he went to dive for the loose ball, he was hit very awkwardly by Seattle middle linebacker David Hawthorne and went to the ground motionless.
The game was stopped for several minutes as trainers attended to Knox. His helmet was removed and he was loaded onto a backboard and taken off the field on a cart. An ambulance then took Knox to the hospital.
