Stafon Johnson
Stafon Johnson Although, Southern California tailback Stafon Johnson is unlikely to play again this season after a falling weight bar crushed his neck and larynx.

Johnson is the senior tailback that scored the seventh ranked Trojans go ahead touchdown against Ohio State two weeks ago. He was bench-pressing when the bar slipped from his right hand and fell onto his throat.

According to Katreena Salgado, a spokeswoman for California Hospital Medical Center, Johnson was in critical but stable condition late Monday night after more than seven hours of surgery.

The prognosis is good and doctors expect Johnson to make a full recovery, however it is not expected that he will be able to play again this season.

Sources say that immediately
after the accident, Johnson was coughing up blood.

"It hit him with a lot of force, and it hurt him," said Trojans coach Pete Carroll. "No broken bones as far as I understand, but he's got some damage in there somewhere, and they're working it out, trying to figure out what it is. It is serious. He did get hurt."

Johnson is a 5-foot-11, 210-pound senior from Compton, California. He is the Trojans' second-leading rusher and goal-line specialist. Johnson's rushed 32 times for 157 yards this year and leads the team with five touchdowns. He entered this season with just under 1,400 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns.

Johnson's absence likely opens the door for 235-pound junior Allen Bradford and perhaps 225-pound sophomore Marc Tyler to see more touches when USC plays California on Saturday.