Detroit Lions linebacker Zack Follett suffered a season-ending neck injury in mid-October on a helmet-to-helmet hit against the New York Giants. Though he has been rehabilitating, damage to a disc in Follett’s neck may be too extensive for him to play again.
To be more specific, there isn’t much space between that disc and Follett’s spinal cord. So if Follett took a serious hit in that area again, it could cause paralysis.
As you might expect, Follett is hopeful for a resumption of his pro football career. But the potential ramifications also have him facing reality.
“I am just in my second year, so I know I still have a lot to go,” said Follett, whose season and perhaps career was cut short by a neck injury during a game against the Giants on Oct. 17. “But if my body tells me something else, then, you know, I still want to walk and enjoy life. I know football isn’t life, but it’s what I love to do.”
The article goes on to mention that the problems with Follett’s neck may have already been an issue before his collision with the Giants’ Jason Pierre-Paul. A history of neck injuries in college may have been a reason Follett lasted until the seventh round of the 2009 NFL Draft.
Follett is expected to undergo another MRI exam in the spring.