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 Johnson communicated non-verbally with his family members yesterday morning. He's recovering well and is in stable condition.