Edmonton Eskimo receiver Jason Tucker will undergo surgery and be sidelined for the rest of season after suffering a neck injury, the club announced today.
The seven year Eskimo veteran and four time CFL All-Star collided with Hamilton's Jykine Bradley on the final play of the third quarter in Edmonton's 19 - 13 win Saturday in Hamilton. Tucker was examined on-field by medical personnel and was found to be experiencing high back and neck pain and some tingling in his right hand, but he had full range of motion in all limbs. He was stabilized and transported by ambulance to hospital in Hamilton.
Eskimo team physician Dr. Jeff Robinson says "Jason suffered a C6 - C7 fracture/dislocation, a disruption in the normal stability of the neck. This is often associated with spinal cord injuries, but fortunately that is not the case here. This is an unstable fracture that could cause nerve damage so it's very important that it be stabilized. There is no doubt that this is a catastrophic injury, but Jason should make a complete recovery. He is alert, comfortable and fully aware of the extent of the injury".
Eskimo Head Coach and Director of Football Operations Danny Maciocia says "an injury like this very quickly puts the game of football in it's proper perspective. Jason means so much to this team, his tremendous talent and determined leadership are an inspiration. The entire Eskimo family sends it's thoughts and prayers to Jason and his family for a full recovery".
The Eskimos return to Commonwealth Stadium Thursday,July 31st at 8:00pm to host the BC Lions in a key CFL West Division match-up. For more information on the Edmonton Eskimos visit our website at
www.esks.com.
The Edmonton Eskimo Football Club is one of the most successful teams in CFL history with 13 Grey Cup championships and a North American pro-sports record of 34 consecutive years in the playoffs. A community-owned team, the Eskimos pride themselves on giving back to the community that has supported the organization throughout its illustrious history.