This hasn’t exactly been the best ten months of Illinois linebacker Martez Wilson‘s young life.
He was suspended for the Illini’s 2008 season finale after violating team rules, then was stabbed in the neck last December outside of a campus bar.
Now, after recovering from the stabbing and working his way back into the starting lineup, Wilson will miss the remainder of 2009 after under-going season-ending surgery to repair a herniated disc in his neck.
The school made the announcement this afternoon.
“We feel awful for Martez,” head coach Ron Zook said in a statement. “He worked so hard and had such a great offseason. I’m really proud of him for that.
“You never want to see injuries happen, but we feel that we were able to catch this in time to ensure a successful surgery and recovery for Martez. I feel confident that he will return from the injury stronger and with more determination next year. We talk about adversity and our team knows others will have to step up and fill his shoes. I think they are ready to do that.”
“Of course, I am upset and frustrated, but you can’t control injuries,” Wilson said in his own statement released by the school. “The biggest thing for me is that I have a lot of support around me with my family, the coaches and my teammates and they will help me get through this.
“I was really looking forward to being a leader on this defense, but I can still do that from the sidelines. I will get healed and make sure I am 100 percent for next season.”
Wilson suffered the injury in the season opener against Missouri, then missed last week’s game against Illinois State.
