Virginia’s Perris Jones needed spinal surgery after the running back was injured on a hard hit during Thursday night’s game against No. 11 Louisville.
The football program said Saturday that Jones had spinal surgery on Friday at the U of L Medical Center and was able to walk briefly on Saturday.
‘He remains under observation and will be transferred to the Frazier Rehabilitation Institute in Louisville for continued care when his medical team deems appropriate,’ the team said.
Jones was taken off the field on a stretcher and transported to the hospital following a scary collision during Louisville’s 31-24 victory.
Friday, the school announced that Jones had ‘regained movement in all of his extremities.’
Jones took a massive hit as he moved up the field after catching a swing pass on a second-and-27 play in the final minute of the third quarter. The hit jarred the ball loose but it was scooped up by Malik Washington, who scampered into the end zone to give UVA a 20-14 lead.
But the celebration was short-lived as it was immediately clear that Jones needed medical attention. The ESPN broadcast said trainers were immediately on the field to assist Jones, who was placed onto a backboard and taken off the field on a cart.
Players kneeled as Jones was treated. When Jones was placed onto the cart, the entire Virginia team surrounded him.
The game eventually resumed, and Virginia kicked the extra point to go up 21-14. Louisville rallied to win 31-24.
In his postgame press conference, Virginia coach Tony Elliott said he was receiving ‘encouraging’ news from the hospital about Jones’ condition.