National Football League

Report: Bears' Knox to have surgery

Published Dec. 18, 2011 12:00 a.m. ET

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Chicago Bears wide receiver Johnny Knox will undergo back surgery to stabilize vertebrae in his back Monday following a hit that saw him carted from Soldier Field in the first quarter of Sunday's 38-14 loss to the Seattle Seahawks.

Coach Lovie 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," he said.

While the team did not make any announcement regarding his status for the rest of the season, it was highly unlikely Knox would return for the Bears with only two games remaining, the Chicago Tribune reported.

The injury occurred after Knox fumbled the ball and went to retrieve it on the ground. As he did, Seahawks defensive tackle dove and hit Knox, violently bending back his upper body.

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.

Knox had 36 receptions for 712 yards this season for two touchdowns. On Sunday he had just one catch for 15 yards before being forced from the game.