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Bears' Zach Miller 'progressing well' after second surgery


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Chicago Bears tight end Zach Miller is “progressing well” after having emergency surgery Sunday night to repair a torn popliteal artery in his left leg, coach John Fox said in a press conference Tuesday.

Miller had another vascular surgery Tuesday morning that is considered a “routine follow-up procedure,” according to The Chicago Tribune.

Fox told reporters that Miller, who suffered the gruesome injury during Sunday’s game against the New Orleans Saints, is surrounded by family at a New Orleans hospital.

“There’s been a lot of people reaching out from around the league,” Fox said. “I believe some Saints players are heading by (the hospital) today. So again, he’s progressing well.”

The 33-year-old tight end dislocated his left knee during the Bears’ 20-12 loss to the Saints, which led to arterial damage in his leg.

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This type of injury can sometimes lead to nerve damage, as was the case with a high school football player in Texas in 2015. When asked Tuesday if Miller had nerve damage, Fox demurred.

“You know, again, not being a doctor but the feedback I’ve gotten, the initial concern was the artery. I didn’t hear much other than that,” Fox said. “So from a prognosis standpoint, I don’t want to delve too deep and specific, but that was a big concern and they addressed it. And like I said, he’s progressing well.”

Contact Tom Schad at tschad@gannett.com or on Twitter @Tom_Schad.

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