Bears wide receiver Johnny Knox will undergo back surgery Monday to stabilize vertebrae in his back, the team announced.
Knox was injured in the first quarter of the team's 38-14 loss to the Seahawks on Sunday at Soldier Field. A club spokesman said the "prognosis is good" for Knox's career and quality of life.
Knox was injured after he fumbled and went for the ball. Defensive tackle Anthony Hargrove dove and hit Knox's upper torso, violently bending back his upper body. The game was delayed for at least five minutes while medical personnel tended to Knox on the field. He was placed on a board and taken off the field on a cart to a waiting ambulance and then the hospital.
Coach Lovie Smith was upbeat after the game.
"Johnny has total movement throughout his body," Smith said. "Has total use of all of his extremities, which is good. He is not paralyzed or anything like that."
While no announcement has been made, it's fair to assume Knox's 2011 season has ended.
Time to see more Bennett and Sanzenbacher, I suppose.