Chicago Bears tight end Zach Miller suffered a dislocated kneecap, and was forced into vascular surgery on Sunday evening to address what was severe artery damage.
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More details have emerged, and it sounds horrific:
Source: Zach Miller's popliteal artery in left knee was found "shredded from above the knee joint to below the knee" by vascular surgeons.
— Chris Mortensen (@mortreport) October 30, 2017
Vascular surgical team did saphenous vein graft to revascularize Miller's leg at University Med Center, which has a Level One trauma center
— Chris Mortensen (@mortreport) October 30, 2017
Vascular surgeons praised Bears team doctor Dr. Mark Bowen for identifying vascular problem asap by checking Miller's dropping pulse.
— Chris Mortensen (@mortreport) October 30, 2017
Miller's family is with him. Also, NFLPA executive director @DeSmithNFLPA & union president @ericwinston traveled to New Orleans for support
— Chris Mortensen (@mortreport) October 30, 2017
Doctors diagnosed Miller's injury as lateral subluxation. The artery repair was urgent. There is also orthopedic damage to knee, per source
— Chris Mortensen (@mortreport) October 30, 2017
The team has released a statement following the surgery that has left Miller hospitalized:
Update from the Chicago Bears on status of TE Zach Miller. pic.twitter.com/zJUf9W8Hh3
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) October 30, 2017
"During our game at the New Orleans Saints yesterday, TE Zach Miller sustained a serious injury to his left knee and immediate evaluation from our medical team on site rushed him to nearby University Medical Center New Orleans (UMC) for surgery vascular surgery to repair a torn popliteal artery. Successful surgery was performer immediately on Sunday by the UMC vascular surgeons to stabilize his injury. Zach remains at UMC, along with Bears medical personnel, where he will stay under further evaluation. We are thinking of Zach and his family and support from our entire organization goes out to them."
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Bears TE Zach Miller was having urgent vascular surgery in New Orleans last night to repair artery damage on dislocated knee, per sources
— Chris Mortensen (@mortreport) October 30, 2017
In addition, that surgery focused not only on maintaining Miller's playing career but also the reality that the use of his leg could have been in serious jeopardy.
Vascular surgeons are trying to save Bears TE Zach Miller's leg, not just his career, per @mortreport.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 30, 2017
Football becomes secondary in a hurry with an injury of this magnitude and our thoughts and prayers are with Miller, the Bears organization and his friends and family at this time of peril.
He has 146 receptions over six seasons, for 1,600 yards and 15 touchdowns.
