Stafon Johnson scores the ahead touchdown against Ohio State. Photo Courtesy MCT

By Michael Lev
The Orange County Register
(MCT)

LOS ANGELES — USC tailback Stafon Johnson was undergoing surgery Monday night after a bar fell on his throat during a late-morning weightlifting session.

Coach Pete Carroll described the injury as “serious” but not life-threatening. Johnson was in critical but stable condition at California Hospital Medical Center, according to a published report.

A hospital spokesperson declined to elaborate on Johnson’s condition.

Johnson was unable to speak after the accident, and paramedics put him in a neck brace as they carried him out of the weight room at Heritage Hall.

“This is a guy that has been an integral part of our program for years. Everybody loves Stafon and takes it personally,” Carroll said after Monday’s practice. “When you are as connected as we are, we feel every bit of this. … We all feel a bit damaged today and injured.

“It’s a bad deal, and I feel horrible for him.”

Carroll expects Johnson to be out “for a while.” The senior is USC’s second-leading rusher with 157 yards, and he leads the team with five touchdowns. Johnson rushed for a team-high 705 yards and nine scores last season. NFLDraftScout.com rates Johnson as a fourth-round prospect for the 2010 NFL draft.

The accident left his teammates shocked and worried.

“It’s scary,” guard Jeff Byers said.

“You don’t expect that to happen,” tailback Allen Bradford said, “but it just happened.”

“We’re praying for him,” fullback Adam Goodman said, “and we hope he’s back as quickly as possible.”

Goodman was in the weight room when the accident occurred sometime after 11 a.m. Johnson was at the tail end of a set of bench-press reps when the bar slipped out of his hands. An assistant athletic trainer was spotting him but couldn’t prevent the bar from landing on Johnson’s throat.

“I turned around,” Goodman said, “and Stafon was grabbing his neck.”

Strength and conditioning coach Chris Carlisle, who was nearby, said it was the first time he could recall a bar striking someone in that manner.

“I’ve seen players have the bar slip and fall onto their chest,” Carlisle said. “But never in my 25 years of coaching have I heard of someone dropping a bar on their throat.”

Johnson had assumed the role of short-yardage and goal-line specialist this season behind leading rusher Joe McKnight. Bradford and C.J. Gable are likely to have expanded roles while Johnson is out.

“We’re a man down,” running backs coach Todd McNair said.