Yesterday, the game between the Colts and Texans was stopped after Texan DT Cedric Killings lay motionless on the field after a special teams collision. Today, the Texans held a press conference that included medical staff to let people know what Killings condition is. His doctors explained that he had a fracture of the bone outside of the C4 vertabrae, the same vertebrae that Buffalo Bill tight end Kevin Everett fractured. On the field, Killings was in a temporarily quadriplegic state, but then started to have some feeling in his legs and arms. This morning he was able to stand next to his bed, and they expect him to be able to walk out of the hospital. He is still experiencing weakness in his arms, particularly his left one.
They are still running more tests, and time will tell how much rehabilitation he might need or if eventually he can play football again. Right now, they are focusing on making sure the spinal cord recovers, and he regains as much functionality as he can.
Interestingly, his treatment was different than Kevin Everett's in that he did not receive the immediate cold saline solution treatment, but did receive the same steroid therapy treatment. The doctors at the press conference suggested that the cold saline treatment may be promising but also may have significant drawbacks. It's actually a pretty fascinating discussion if you have an interest in protocols for possible spinal cord injuries.
The one thing Dr. Walter Lowe emphasized for everyone looking at this situation as it relates to potential spinal injuries is this:
"It's the helmet on, it's the shoulder pads on, it's getting them immobilized and make sure you don't let anything get worse until they get to a point where they can get evaluated "You would hope that people would know the ways not to make spinal cord injuries worse, but I'm guessing because Dr. Lowe discussed it, it's still a problem. (and probably worth a mention here).
If you would like to send get well wishes to Cedric Killings, you can do so at this address:
Cedric Killings
The Houston Texans
Two Reliant Park
Houston, TX 77054
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Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 1)
1. I am happy for Killings. I certainly hope he recovers fully. That was a somber scene Sunday. About 20 years ago I was on the sideline at a High School All Star game in the Astrodome. Just before halftime, the umpire keeled over and had a heart attack and died. I will never forget that scene with the medics pushing him on a stretcher towards the north end zone with his wife and son waiting. I hope I never see anything like that again.
Kudos to Kubiak for staying on field with Killings during that time of uncertainty. Jeff Fisher also does that on many less severe injuries. They are two of my favorite coaches who have a lot of class and players know this.
I hope all of the injured Texans heal real soon as Atlanta will be a very tough physical game.
Posted at 7:45PM on Sep 25th 2007 by Mark in Cypress