LOS ANGELES — A doctor says Southern California tailback Stafon Johnson is giving thumbs up signs and communicating in writing to his mother and teammates after undergoing a seven-hour surgery to repair a crushed neck and larynx.

The senior was injured in a bench-pressing accident Monday when a bar slipped from his grasp.

Dr. Gudata Hinika, trauma medical director at California Hospital Medical Center, said Tuesday Johnson is unable to speak, but he's recovering well and is in stable condition.

Hinika says it is unclear when Johnson will be able to speak again, but he is expected to fully recover.

Hinika says Johnson may not have survived if he did not have such a muscular physique. He is unlikely to return this season.