Johnny Knox, after spinal fusion, wants to play this year, but is not rushing it

Bears receiver Johnny Knox says he's staying optimistic about playing in 2012, but he also says he'll take his time to make sure he's fully healed.

It sounds like there's a good chance we won't be seeing much of Knox this year. (US Presswire)

By his own account, since Bears receiver Johnny Knox had spinal fusion surgery, he’s lost 30 pounds. Though he told reporters Wednesday he’d gained back about 10 pounds of that, he’s nowhere close to being ready to play.

Like we told you two months ago, there’s a good chance Knox, after taking a bad hit from Anthony Hargrove last season that led to a vertebrae fracture (you can see the GIF of the play here), won’t play this season.

“I want to get back out there at the beginning of the season, but who knows?” Knox said. “We’re going to see how that turns out.”

What about the possibility of missing all of 2012?

“It could happen, but I’m staying optimistic," he said. ...  I’m not in no rush. This is my spine, the core of my body I’m dealing with. It’s not my knee or my ankle or my shoulder. I’m taking my time on this.”

As he should.

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