National Football League

Knox undergoes 'successful' surgery

Published Dec. 19, 2011 12:00 a.m. ET

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Chicago Bears wide receiver Johnny Knox underwent a "successful" procedure Monday to stabilize vertebrae in his back, the team announced.

Knox was carted off the field Sunday after taking an awkward hit during the Bears' 38-14 loss to the Seattle Seahawks.

Bears coach Lovie Smith confirmed Monday Knox would be done for the season, but remained optimistic about the 25-year-old's future in football.

"He's out, of course, this year. But just looking to the future, it looks bright for him, of course, to play and to get back out there. So we're encouraged by that," Smith said, according to the Chicago Tribune.

A brief statement issued via the Bears' Twitter account said Knox's "football future prognosis remains good" following the surgery. The team also said there was no timetable for his return.

Knox suffered the injury during the first quarter of Sunday's game in Chicago as he attempted to recover a fumbled catch. Seahawks defensive tackle Anthony Hargrove and Knox collided as the pair dove for the loose ball with the force of the hit causing Knox's body to violently bend backward above the waist.

The Bears wideout suffered a cracked facet joint, which helps support the spinal column, a league source told the Tribune. He is looking at a three- to four-month recovery, according to the source.

The game was delayed for more than five minutes as Knox was tended to by medical personnel and carted from the field, before being taken by ambulance to the hospital.

Smith confirmed after the game that Knox had total movement throughout his body.

"[He] has total use of all of his extremities, which is good. He is not paralyzed or anything like that," Smith said.

Knox had 37 receptions for 727 yards this season with two touchdowns. He had one catch for 15 yards in Sunday's game before the injury.