Bears Tight End Zach Miller In Danger Of Losing His Leg After Catastrophic Injury On Sunday

In news reminiscent of when Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater gruesomely injured up his leg, it is now being reported that Bears tight end Zach Miller, who suffered a grotesque leg injury on Sunday, is in some danger of losing his leg, just like Bridgewater was.

Of course, Bridgewater’s injury happened in a practice and amazingly, video of it has never been released. Miller’s injury, on the other hand, happened on TV and millions of NFL fans got to witness it. (You can watch it here if you are so inclined. Miller also got hosed by the referees for his trouble as well.)

On Monday, ESPN’s Chris Mortensen released a statement that doctors are concerned that Zach Miller is in some danger of being forced to have his leg amputated.

Miller reportedly had to undergo emergency vascular surgery due to the artery damage his leg sustained in the injury, which involved grafting tissue from his right leg to repair the artery in his left leg.

In an unsettling bit of irony, here are the shoes Miller was wearing on Sunday…

David J. Chao, MD, a former NFL head team doctor and renowned sports medical analyst, also filed this report…

This operation was necessary because Miller’s knee was so far out of place that his artery was torn.

The popliteal artery is behind the knee, and is the one damaged. The problem is that is the only main blood supply to the leg below the knee. It is like having the only bridge to an island go out.

This was a true emergency.

Blood flow needs to be restored within hours, and the surgery sometimes takes several hours.

Thus, the Bears medical staff with the cooperation of the Saints doctors should be applauded.

Given the early action, the hope and expectation is that his leg will be saved. His medical issues and need for further surgery is not over, but his NFL career undoubtedly is.

A knee dislocation this severe is, fortunately, a relatively rare occurrence. And it is virtually impossible to return from.

That’s the “good” news. Here’s the bad…

Given the early action, the hope and expectation is that his leg will be saved. His medical issues and need for further surgery is not over, but his NFL career undoubtedly is.

A knee dislocation this severe is, fortunately, a relatively rare occurrence. And it is virtually impossible to return from.

Anyone who saw the injury can understand why those close to Miller would be keeping him in their “thoughts and prayers.”