Chicago Bears wide receiver Johnny Knox suffered a broken vertebrae during the team's Week 15 loss to the Seattle Seahawks, and it was one of the most brutal injuries of recent memory in the NFL, and since his successful surgery in December there have been conflicting reports on how long it will take for the young wideout to make his return to the field.
In February, Knox's agent, Mark Lillibridge, suggested Knox was on pace for a return in mid-July, but Vaughn McClure of the Chicago Tribune reported in March that Knox was expected to be placed on the team's Physically Unable to Preform list prior to the start of the 2012 season -- which would make him ineligible to play in first six weeks of the season. McClure noted that Knox could miss the season back in March, and now Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune mentioned in his May 13 column that "Knox will likely miss the season."
It wouldn't be surprising if the WR needed extra time to rehab and work himself back into the NFL after a serious spinal injury and major spinal surgery, and the team seems well-prepared if he is unable to go. Knox led the Bears with 727 receiving yards, a 19.6 yards per reception average, 12 plays of 20 or more yards, and 51.9 yards receiving per game in 2012. Since Phil Emery took over as general manager, he has acquired Brandon Marshall via trade and drafted Alshon Jeffery in the 2012 NFL Draft.
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