According to UH officials, defensive back D.J. Hayden is in stable yet critical condition. He was injured in a collision during practice Tuesday and rushed to the Memorial Hermann Hospital, where he underwent surgery for a tear of the inferior vena cava, the large vein that carries blood from the lower half of the body back to the heart.
Walter Lowe, M.D., team physician for UH, described the injury as very serious and life-threatening.
"This injury has never been seen or reported in association with a football injury and is more associated with high speed motor vehicle injuries," Dr. Lowe said. "The type of injury D.J. had is 95 percent fatal in the field and we are all very thankful for the coordinate response from the University of Houston trainers, EMS paramedics, the trauma team at Memorial Hermann and operating surgeon Dr. John Holcomb."
"D.J. is a tremendous young man and has been a great asset to our program, both on and off the field," said UH Coach Tony Levine. "I ask that everyone continue to keep D.J. and his family in their thoughts and prayers."
Stay with Eyewitness News and abc13.com for the latest on Hayden's condition
