Chicago Bears tight end Zach Miller suffered a dislocated kneecap, and was forced into vascular surgery on Sunday evening to address what appears to be severe artery damage surrounding the already publicly known knee issue.
The team has released a statement following the surgery that has left Miller hospitalized:
"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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In addition, that surgery is focused not only on maintaining Miller's playing career but also the reality that the use of his leg could be in serious jeopardy.
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.