Bears receiver Johnny Knox suffered a serious and disturbing back injury in December 2011. As he continues to recover, Knox concedes that he may miss all of the 2012 season.
“It could happen, but I’m staying optimistic,” Knox said, via Jeff Dickerson of ESPN.com. “My main focus is in that weight room. That’s all I’m focusing on. I’m not in a rush [to return]; this is my spine, the core of my body that I’m dealing with. This is not my knee or my ankle or my shoulder. . . . I’m taking my time on this.”
Knox said he still hasn’t seen video of the hit that bent him backward, and Knox said he likely won’t watch it until his career ends.
Shedding 30 pounds from a 185-pound frame while confined to a brace, Knox has regained a third of the weight. He continues to focus on getting the rest of it back.
“I really don’t know [when I’ll be able to practice],” Knox said. “They haven’t given me a timetable on that right now. I’ve been out here jogging a little bit just trying to get some muscle memory back, but as far as routes, I’m just working on the little things right now. That, and staying in my playbook.”
Even the most ardent Packers fan would have a hard time not rooting for Knox to fully return from the type of serious injury that could happen to any player at any time, but that fortunately occurs only rarely.