Tony Elliott Provides Update on Virginia RB Perris Jones

Virginia running back Perris Jones is continuing to recover from a successful spinal surgery and is expected to remain in Louisville for several weeks, according to an update from UVA head coach Tony Elliott in his weekly press conference on Tuesday. 

Jones suffered a serious injury as the result of a collision late in the third quarter of UVA's 31-24 loss at Louisville on Thursday night. He remained down on the field for several minutes before being carted from the field and taken by ambulance to the University of Louisville Medical Center. Jones underwent a successful spinal surgery on Friday and was able to "briefly walk" on Saturday, according to an update from Virginia. 

On Tuesday, Elliott provided the latest update on the condition of Jones, who is progressing well but will apparently have to stay in Louisville for the foreseeable future, likely at the Frazier Rehabilitation Institute. 

"Part of the protocol with the surgery that he has - he has to stay in ICU under watch for the first week. And then after that week, we're hoping he's going to be transferred to the Frazier Center, which is a rehabilitation center that focuses in spinal cord injuries," Elliott said. "I had a chance to see him via Zoom yesterday. He was in a position to talk to us. It was good to see his face and man, he was smiling. He was happy, focused on his team, telling us to tell the guys to keep fighting. So that's where he is, but I anticipate that he's going to end up being in Louisville for several weeks once he's transferred, hopefully this Friday, to the Frazier rehabilitation clinic."

Elliott went on to express his gratitude to UVA associate athletics director for sports medicine Kelli Pugh and her training staff for providing immediate care to Jones on the field and also specifically mentioned Ashley Berry, a member of Virginia's training staff who stayed behind to be with Jones in Louisville. Elliott also thanked Louisville's football program and training staff for their efforts and continued support. 

The Jones family, who was not at the game on Thursday, traveled to Louisville and has been able to spend some time with Perris in the last couple of days. Elliott says that Jones will be permitted to have one family member stay with him when he is transferred to the Frazier Rehabilitation Institute. 

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