USC's Johnson To Be Discharged From Hospital Today

NFL News - October 14th, 2009 - Written by John

More than two weeks after being involved in one of the more unusual, catastrophic injuries in recent sports memory, USC's Stafon Johnson will be released from the hospital Wednesday.

Family members confirmed to ESPN's Shelley Smith that Johnson will be discharged today after a rapid recovery stemming from a weightlifting injury.

On September 28th, the senior was bench pressing 245 pounds when his hand slipped off the bar. His spotter wasn't able to prevent the ensuing fall and the bar fell on his neck, crushing his throat and larynx. He reportedly was spitting up blood through his mouth and nose and was immediately rushed to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.

Doctors worked on Johnson for seven hours through the night, repairing the massive damage that was done. The head surgeon told reporters that he was amazed how Johnson survived the accident, and credited his muscular neck for cushioning the impact somewhat.

In the days following the surgery, his mother, Kim Mallory, told Smith via text that his voice box "looks good and healing fine. And did some movement on the vocal chords (amen) not sure how much but God is good."

Head coach Pete Carroll told ESPN that the tailback has been moving around better, sleeping and communicating easier in recent days. He is hoping to receive a medical redshirt to gain another year of eligibility, or he may just bolt to the NFL while he still can. Before the injury, Johnson was USC's primary goalline back, leading the team with five touchdowns

There is no chance Johnson will return to the USC Trojans this year, although doctors told his family that he will likely recovery without complications. He was seen in public for the first time today, with a breathing tub in his throat albeit, walking through the hospital with his mother.

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