Virginia RB Perris Jones undergoes spinal surgery, able to briefly walk

Virginia running back Perris Jones was hospitalized following a hit in a game against Louisville on Thursday night, and the sixth-year senior underwent successful spine surgery on Friday.

The Virginia program provided an update on Jones on Saturday on Twitter.

According to the update, Jones was able to briefly walk on Saturday. He will remain under observation and will be transferred to the Frazier Rehabilitation Institute in Louisville for continued care when his medical team deems it appropriate.

Jones took a head on hit within a pack of defenders toward the end of the third quarter in UVA’s matchup at Louisville. It’s worth noting that, after fumbling following the hit, WR Malik Washington scooped it up and actually scored to give the Cavaliers a lead. However, the attention immediately, and appropriately, turned to the health of Jones back around the 40-yard line.

After being tended to, Jones was taken off the field in an ambulance.

Jones finished the night with three carries for seven yards. In his sixth collegiate season, that brought him up to 76 carries for 393 yards. He also has a pair of scores on the season.

Virginia went on to lose in a 31-24 defeat to the Cardinals.

Of course, all eyes following the contest were on Perris Jones and his return to health following the scary hit.

After six years at Virginia, Jones has emerged as one of the team’s real leaders and a reliable runner out of the backfield. In his career he has logged 160 carries for 770 yards and four touchdowns.

Jones has served as a team captain at various points, and he was voted as one of five team captains following the 2022 season.

He was previously a recipient of UVA’s strength and conditioning dedication award for work ethic and leadership in strength training and conditioning at the program’s annual awards banquet in 2022.