LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Virginia running back Perris Jones underwent a "successful" spine surgery Friday at the University of Louisville Medical Center.
Jones was injured on a play late in the third quarter against No. 11 Louisville on Thursday night. He regained movement in all of his extremities, school officials said, hours after being immobilized on a flat board and was carted off the field.
The running back caught a 7-yard pass from Anthony Colandrea and was starting to run upfield when he fumbled after a hard hit on his helmet by Cam’Ron Kelly with several other Cardinals nearby. Malik Washington scooped up the ball near the right sideline and dashed down the field for the go-ahead touchdown to make 21-14.
According to a statement posted on social media from Virginia Football, Jones was able to "briefly walk." However, he remains under observation and will be transferred to the Frazier Rehabilitation Institute in Louisville for continued care when his medical team releases him.
Players from both teams knelt for about 15 minutes as Jones was treated and gently lifted onto the board with his head wrapped between two pads, and then onto the cart as Cavaliers players gathered around.
"It’s a very, very difficult reality of the sport that we play, that every play can end that way, and you don’t wish that for anybody. Man, I know one thing: (Perris Jones) is a tough young man and he lays it on the line every time he goes out there for this football team. (We’re) believing and praying that he’s going to have a full recovery," coach Tony Elliott said. "I’m putting that in the Lord’s hands and I’m asking for that in advance and believing that that’s going to be the case."
Louisville rallied to beat Virginia 31-24.
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