Nov. 12, 2012

HOUSTON - Houston senior defensive back D.J. Hayden was released from the Memorial Hermann Texas Trauma Institute in Houston Monday afternoon, just six days after suffering a tear of the inferior vena cava, the large vein that carries blood from the lower half of the body back to the heart.

A collision with a teammate in practice resulted in the life-threatening injury that required immediate surgery. According to Dr. Walter Lowe, University of Houston Team Physician, the injury is 95 percent fatal in the field and is more commonly associated with high-speed motor vehicle injuries.

Dr. Walter Lowe, University of Houston Team Physician
"Looking at the whole course of events and the severity of the injury, D.J. has progressed remarkably well and is out a lot sooner than expected. He's got a lot of healing left to do as the procedure to repair the inferior vena cava is much like a heart transplant. The sternum should take around three months to heal and D.J. is expected to be able to resume normal activities without contact in three-to-four months."

• Ticket Office Home
• Seating Charts
• Shipping / Will Call
• Gameday Guide
• Visitors

• Football
• Men's Basketball
• Other Sports
• Group Tickets
• Student Tickets

• Buy Tickets Online
• Renew Season Tickets
• Ticket Referrals
• Seating Charts
• Events Calendar