Chicago Bears tight end Zach Miller has undergone a surgery on Sunday in order to repair a torn popliteal artery in his left leg. Miller suffered an injury in Sunday’s game against the New Orleans Saints, after trying to catch a touchdown pass.
“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 urgent vascular surgery to repair a torn popliteal artery,” – said the Chicago Bears said in an official statement on Monday. “Successful surgery was performed 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.”
Bears’ QB Mitchell Trubinsky threw a pass to Miller in the end zone, with Miller making a catch and then bending his leg awkwardly upon landing. After examining the play, officials ruled that he didn’t maintain possession and negated the potential touchdown.
Multiple reports said that Miller’s injury was very serious and that surgeons “had been working to save Miller’s leg.” Torn popliteal artery injuries can be career threatening and even require amputation in some of the cases.
“I think that’s always a concern,” – said Bears’ coach John Fox when asked about amputation. “Our medical people did a great job as far as getting him there; they realized the problem immediately. Obviously, with any kind of vascular issue, you don’t want altitude you don’t want people flying around. He’ll have to remain still there for some time. He won’t be coming back to Chicago anytime real soon.“
