Bears' Zach Miller Returning To Chicago

By Chris Emma--

(CBS) Bears tight end Zach Miller is returning to Chicago on Monday, just more than a week after he underwent emergency vascular surgery to repair a torn popliteal artery in his left leg.

Miller announced the latest update with a long post on his Twitter account in which he thanked fans, the Bears organization, coaches, teammates and staffers for their support and credited doctors for their attentive and quick care after the devastating injury.

"The amount of love and support I have from all of you is beyond inspiring," Miller wrote.

Miller suffered the horrific knee and leg injury the third quarter of the Bears' 20-12 loss to the Saints in New Orleans on Oct. 29. He was attempting to catch a touchdown as his left leg bent in reverse. The extent to Miller's knee damage isn't yet known.

"I have been down before, and I will do whatever it takes to get back up," Miller wrote.

Since the injury, Miller has been with his wife, Kristen, at the hospital in New Orleans. Members of the Saints visited with him last week, and teammate Akiem Hicks visited as well during the team's bye week.

Miller's three children have remained back in Chicago with his mother, who took them to the Bears' team Halloween party last week at Halas Hall.

"I cannot wait to get back to Chicago today to see my children and give them the biggest hug ever," Miller wrote.

Upon initial evaluations, the Bears' team doctors recognized the artery issue as Miller's pulse dropped. He was quickly rushed to a hospital for emergency vascular surgery to repair the torn artery. There were initial fears that Miller was in danger of losing his left leg. It was stabilized by successful surgery late that night. Miller spent all last week in New Orleans under evaluation.

"Really, everybody involved did a fantastic job," coach John Fox said on WBBM Newsradio 780 on Monday morning. "The on-site people there in New Orleans, our docs here with the Bears as well as our training staff and sports science group did a tremendous job recognizing the emergency of it all. I don't think it could've gone better, so Zach and all of us were very fortunate."

Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago's sports scene and more for CBSChicago.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670 and like his Facebook page.