Posted by Sabrina B. @gametimegirl
The Chicago Bears medical staff carted off receiver Johnny Knox in the first quarter of Sunday’s game against the Seattle Seahawks because of what appeared to be a back injury. We’re wishing him the best.
Check the pic and gif after the jump…
Knox took a vicious shot from Seahawks defensive end Anthony Hargrove while scrambling for a fumble at the end of a 17-yard catch over the middle. Down on the field for approximately 10 minutes, Knox was immobilized by the medical staff and later carted off the field on a stretcher.
While lying on the stretcher, Knox appeared to be responsive and moving his hands.
The club immediately announced Knox would be out for the remainder of the game with what they called a “mid-back injury.”
He was taken to the hospital for precautionary reasons.
Knox caught a 17-yard pass from Caleb Hanie on a slant route in the first quarter, and as the receiver attempted to make a move to get free, Seahawks safety Kam Chancellor knocked the ball loose. Knox scrambled to pick up the loose ball, but was hit by Hargrove in the process.
The collision — in which it appeared that Hargrove launched himself — caused Knox’s entire upper body to jerk backwards violently, and the team’s medical staff immediately came onto the field to tend to the receiver.
Earl Thomas recovered the fumble to give the Seahawks possession at the Bears’ 22 with 11:02 left in the quarter.
The Bears’ depth at safety took another hit when rookie Chris Conte was taken back to the locker room before halftime after he suffered a foot injury while attempting to tackle Seattle running back Justin Forsett.
Conte was ruled out in the third quarter.
Veteran Brandon Meriweather replaced Conte at free safety for the Bears’ final few defensive plays of the first half. The secondary already was without starting safety Major Wright who has missed the last two weeks due to a shoulder sprain.
Conte, the Bears’ 2011 third-round draft choice out of California, made his ninth consecutive start Sunday. Entering play versus the Seahawks, the rookie ranked ninth on the team with 44 total tackles. He intercepted a pass in the Bears’ win over Tampa Bay in London on Oct. 23.
WRITTEN BY Michael C. Wright covers the Bears for ESPNChicago.com and ESPN 1000. ESPNChicago.com’s Jeff Dickerson contributed to this report & FULL STORY HERE
GIF Source: Eyeonfootball
