Pollack broke his neck in the Bengals game yesterday

[Reds4Life]

From the sound of it he's VERY lucky he's only wearing a halo right now. Hopefully he makes a full recovery.

http://news.cincinnati.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060918/SPT02/309180019/-1/CINCI


BY MARK CURNUTTE | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITER
David Pollack will be placed on the injured reserve list, which ends his season as a player, after breaking his neck during the Bengals game Sunday.

The second-year linebacker suffered a severe neck trauma when he hit Browns running back Reuben Droughns in the shoulder pad with the top of his helmet early in the first quarter.

Center Rich Braham (deep left knee bruise) and strong safety Dexter Jackson (right ankle sprain) will miss the game Sunday at Pittsburgh but are likely to return later in the season.


Until then, second-year lineman Eric Ghiaciuc will start at center. And Kevin Kaesviharn will join Madieu Williams as the Bengals safeties.

The Steelers will play at Jacksonville tonight.

Pollack spent the night at University Hospital.

Earlier today, Pollack’s wife, Lindsey Pollack, posted an e-mail on Cincinnati.Com’s Bengals blog.

She writes:

“I first want to thank everyone for all of your thoughts and prayers for Davey. It means so much to both of us to know that you are thinking of him.

“I know you are all probably hearing all sorts of things. We have been overwhelmed with phone calls, text messages and e-mails, so I apologize for not getting back to some of you sooner. I just wanted to give everyone a brief update before I head back to the hospital.

“Davey did break his neck. I hate how that sounds, though. He fractured his C-6, for those of you who know what that is, but he is so blessed to have feeling everywhere! The doctors have put him in a Halo brace to stabilize him. He is able to move from the chest down, so he can sit up (and) eat, walk, etc. Right now we are just in a waiting period.

“We won't know for a little bit whether surgery has to be an option or not. We are hopeful that he won't have to have surgery and that he will be able to wear the brace and the bone repair itself. We just have to wait and see how his neck responds to the Halo for the next week or so.

“I wish I had more to tell, but that is where we are now. We are hoping he can come home in the next couple of days.

“On a lighter note... Davey is in wonderful spirits! He is joking with all the nurses and keeping everyone laughing still. He has a wonderful perspective on things and he has just been solid! He amazes me more each and every day! Please continue to say your prayers please!

“He will be at University Hospital at least until tonight. I will be there all day, so I won't be able to respond to emails. I will continue to keep you updated as I am able! We love you all so much and are so blessed to have your friendship and support!

“We both know that God's hand is in this and He has a great plan than either of us know. We are both leaning on Him right now to guide us through this time and our decisions. He has blessed us with each and every one of you in our lives and for that we are grateful. Love, Lindsey”

Enquirer.com will update this story after coach Marvin Lewis holds a 3 p.m. new s conference.

[Dom Heffner]

Is this going to happen every year?

I have never seen a team so jinxed.

Draft 'em high, out for the year after year.

[WMR]

Oh no!! :(

[Dom Heffner]

He has a great plan than either of us know.

Great Plan

Step 1: Have illustrious college career
Step 2: Great drafted by NFL team in first round
Step 3: Break neck

:)

May step 4 be geting your tail end back on the football field.

[BuckWoody]

Yikes! What terrible news. :cry:

Well, Pollack has a lot more important things to worry about now other than football. Get well soon David!

[WMR]

AP

CINCINNATI -- Linebacker David Pollack was placed on the injured reserve list Monday with a neck injury, but the Cincinnati Bengals expect him to be fully recovered for next season.

David Pollack
Linebacker
Cincinnati Bengals

Profile
2006 SEASON STATISTICS
Tot Ast Solo FF Sack Int
1 0 1 0 0 0




Pollack was taken off the field on a neck board after making a tackle in the first quarter of a 34-17 victory over the Cleveland Browns on Sunday. He was later transferred to a local hospital, where he was put in a protective halo brace.

Coach Marvin Lewis said Pollack's spinal cord wasn't damaged. He has full sensation in his arms and legs, and doctors are hopeful that the halo brace -- which immobilizes the neck -- will allow the injury to heal without surgery.

"It's not career-threatening," Lewis said.

Pollack, a first-round draft pick last year, was one of three starters who had to leave the game. Safety Dexter Jackson sprained his ankle, and center Rich Braham severely bruised his left knee. Both are expected to miss a game next Sunday in Pittsburgh.

[Reds Fanatic]

In Marvin's press conference he said that note from Pollack's wife was a fake and she did not write it.

[Reds Fanatic]

Also in the press conference the following updates were given on injuries.

Pollack is out for the year.
Jackson is out next Sunday with a sprained ankle.
Braham has a deep bone bruise and is also out for the next game.
Levi Jones is doing much better and should be back this week.
TJ is progressing well and will be reevaluated on Wednesday to see if he can play this week.
Tab Perry has a hip injury and will be evaluated on Wedneday.

[traderumor]

Dexter and Braham will both hurt, although I think the latter more than the former with the blitz happy Steelers. Ghuichac will certainly have his work cut out for him, esp. after with the pressure the Browns' blitzes put on Palmer yesterday. That will be a key to the game probably more than anything. And we're back to Kaesviharn being leaned on more than he's capable of yet again.

[BuckWoody]

Dexter and Braham will both hurt, although I think the latter more than the former with the blitz happy Steelers. Ghuichac will certainly have his work cut out for him, esp. after with the pressure the Browns' blitzes put on Palmer yesterday. That will be a key to the game probably more than anything. And we're back to Kaesviharn being leaned on more than he's capable of yet again.
With Levi returning (hopefully) that will put Steinbach back at guard next to Ghiaciuc instead of the rookie Whitworth. That will help a great deal.

Kaesviharn also has #40 back there with him instead of #26 like last year. That is a lot better situation this time around.

The only silver lining to all these early injuries is that they have an early bye (week 5) that should help most of them get back on the field.

[Heath]

As a Browns Backer, I sincerely hope and pray for David Pollack's well-being and health and hope to see him back on the football field once again. No one should end their career on that note.

[Reds Fanatic]

Based on what I am reading from some other websites hopefully Jackson might be back after the bye week. Braham with the deep bone bruise could be gone for several weeks.

[TeamBoone]

Great Plan

Step 1: Have illustrious college career
Step 2: Great drafted by NFL team in first round
Step 3: Break neck

:)

May step 4 be geting your tail end back on the football field.

If I were him, my step 4 would be to never step foot on a football field again.

He was very very lucky, and if he comes through this relatively unscathed, IMPO, he'd be nuts to play again.

God bless!


Coach Marvin Lewis said Pollack's spinal cord wasn't damaged. He has full sensation in his arms and legs, and doctors are hopeful that the halo brace -- which immobilizes the neck -- will allow the injury to heal without surgery.

"It's not career-threatening," Lewis said.

Well, isn't it ironic that David's wife (or whomever) posted something different than what is stated here. It may have been posted by a friend with his wife's permission.

He severed his C-6... believe it or not, that means it IS damanged regardless of whether or not he isn't paralyzed.

Not career threatening? How does he know at this stage. They don't even know yet if he'll require surgery. Plus, David may not want to take the chance of damaging it again in the future when he might not be as lucky.

[CTA513]

With Levi returning (hopefully) that will put Steinbach back at guard next to Ghiaciuc instead of the rookie Whitworth. That will help a great deal.

Kaesviharn also has #40 back there with him instead of #26 like last year. That is a lot better situation this time around.

The only silver lining to all these early injuries is that they have an early bye (week 5) that should help most of them get back on the field.


Both Willie Anderson and Carson Palmer think that Ghiaciuc will do a good job.
It didnt help yesterday that when he came in he was next to a rookie that was making his first start.
Next week he should have Steinbach next to him since it sounds like Levi Jones will be back.

[Matt700wlw]

If I were him, my step 4 would be to never step foot on a football field again.

He was very very lucky, and if he comes through this relatively unscathed, IMPO, he'd be nuts to play again.

God bless!



Well, isn't it ironic that David's wife (or whomever) posted something different than what is stated here. It may have been posted by a friend with his wife's permission.

He severed his C-6... believe it or not, that means it IS damanged regardless of whether or not he isn't paralyzed.

Not career threatening? How does he know at this stage. They don't even know yet if he'll require surgery. Plus, David may not want to take the chance of damaging it again in the future when he might be as lucky.


The email, supposedly from his wife, has been removed from the Enquier story, and was shot down by Marvin as something false.

I don't know...

[WMR]

If I were him, my step 4 would be to never step foot on a football field again.

He was very very lucky, and if he comes through this relatively unscathed, IMPO, he'd be nuts to play again.

God bless!



Well, isn't it ironic that David's wife (or whomever) posted something different than what is stated here. It may have been posted by a friend with his wife's permission.

He severed his C-6... believe it or not, that means it IS damanged regardless of whether or not he isn't paralyzed.

Not career threatening? How does he know at this stage. They don't even know yet if he'll require surgery. Plus, David may not want to take the chance of damaging it again in the future when he might be as lucky.

The man is a football player. I've met him and he has exceptional drive and determination. If he is medically cleared to play, there's no way he'd ever consider retiring.

[Tony Cloninger]

Injuries are about the only thing that can stop this team.

Losing Jackson hurts big time.....KK is at best.....a good SP player.
He is not a good tackler.....not as bad as Ohalati...but not exactly that much better either.

What amazes me is that BR has been at the wrong end of a motorcycle accident and has had hernia surgery.....yet he misses 1 game?
That happens to a Bengal and he is done for the year or his career.

[Reds4Life]

The man is a football player. I've met him and he has exceptional drive and determination. If he is medically cleared to play, there's no way he'd ever consider retiring.

I dunno man, he's very lucky he's not in a wheel chair right now, and for the rest of his life. Stuff like that can change your mind sometimes.

[WMR]

Maybe you're right, R4.

No one but David knows for sure.

[TeamBoone]

What amazes me is that BR has been at the wrong end of a motorcycle accident and has had hernia surgery.....yet he misses 1 game?

That happens to a Bengal and he is done for the year or his career.

I thought he had his appendix removed.

BTW, the type/seriousness of injury influences how long a guy is out. BR was very very lucky that he was not injured as seriously as he could have been by such a horrible accident. It also happened during the offseason; makes a big difference.

[RedsFanatic]

We will be "ok". This team has the most depth in the NFL. Remember we have also been without Chatman, Chris Perry and Odell Thurman in addition to TJ for the first two games, yet still dominated. This team needs Odell back in his rookie form, if that happens then this defense will be scary. I also think that after the bye week we will see the real Ahmad Brooks. He just needs time to soak up the system.

Guiceic did pretty good last year against Stroud and Henderson of Jacksonville, both of whom are better than Casey Hampton. The biggest loss IMO is Jackson. Like some have already mentioned, Kaesviharn is not starter material. Hopefully they can trade a 6th rounder for a passable safety. This team will prevail, they are that good.

[WMR]

Could anyone w/ medical knowledge answer whether or not such injuries usually make one susceptible to breaking the same vertebrae again? I know certain breaks can end up making the body part even stronger after rehab...

That'd be my biggest question if I was David.

[WMR]

If I were him, my step 4 would be to never step foot on a football field again.

He was very very lucky, and if he comes through this relatively unscathed, IMPO, he'd be nuts to play again.

God bless!



Well, isn't it ironic that David's wife (or whomever) posted something different than what is stated here. It may have been posted by a friend with his wife's permission.

He severed his C-6... believe it or not, that means it IS damanged regardless of whether or not he isn't paralyzed.

Not career threatening? How does he know at this stage. They don't even know yet if he'll require surgery. Plus, David may not want to take the chance of damaging it again in the future when he might be as lucky.

Sorry, TB, didn't mean to sound snippy, just my Bengal-colored glasses refusing to consider David never playing again. :(

[Tony Cloninger]

It was BR's appendix.......either way....he is back like it's no big deal.

I have no problem with Guchiani at C....he is younger and less beat up than Rich.....and with 1 week as the main guy on the 1st team snaps for practice, he will be fine.

I just worry about the run support with Dexter gone......yes they have played better against the run....but PITT always seems to be able to run down the Bengals throat when they need to.

[CrackerJack]

He supposably "chipped" his C-6 vertebrae - and thus why Lewis is saying it's not career threatening. I guess this is why he doesn't need surgery (nothing need to be fused or repaired artificially).

It should simply just heal and was a freak occurence. Warrick, 2-carry Perry, and Pollack - the 1st round curse continues I guess. Hopefully Perry's back by game 6 again though, along with Odell, Dexter and of course Braham.

Pollack's the only long term loss on the team - should be at full strength for the most part, the 2nd half of the season, barring any catastrophes.

[GAC]

Also in the press conference the following updates were given on injuries.

Pollack is out for the year.
Jackson is out next Sunday with a sprained ankle.
Braham has a deep bone bruise and is also out for the next game.
Levi Jones is doing much better and should be back this week.
TJ is progressing well and will be reevaluated on Wednesday to see if he can play this week.
Tab Perry has a hip injury and will be evaluated on Wedneday.

What about Johnson's shoulder? He was definitely dragging/favoring it after that TD.

The Bengals definitely took a beating in that game. Wow!

Pollack and family are in my prayers. I hope he has a speedy recovery.

But one also has to consider the position that Pollack plays, and any future risk.

[Reds Fanatic]

What about Johnson's shoulder? He was definitely dragging/favoring it after that TD.

The Bengals definitely took a beating in that game. Wow!

Pollack and family are in my prayers. I hope he has a speedy recovery.

But one also has to consider the position that Pollack plays, and any future risk.

According to Marvin Chad is fine. I am amazed he doesn't have a concussion after that hit he took toward the end of the game. He was so out of it he could barely talk after the game. But he is doing fine now.