Get the rest hereNBA.com headlines wrote:On his presumedly long and tenuous road back to basketball, Hawks guard DerMarr Johnson has exceeded everyone's expectations but his own. Johnson, who cracked four vertebrae in his neck in a Sept. 13 car crash, was cleared Friday to participate in full-contact practices beginning Monday.
"I'm ready," Johnson said, smiling as sweat dripped from his chin.
A third doctor issued written approval last week, and team doctor Allen McDonald completed the final paperwork allowing Johnson to finally participate in five-on-five drills. His expected eight-to-10-month recovery has been reduced to seven months.
"He's a lucky kid," Hawks trainer Wally Blase said.
Johnson also will travel with the team for the remainder of the season. But with seven games remaining, the Hawks will have only a few more practices before the season finale in New Orleans on April 16.
"He is not cleared to play a game yet," Blase said. "But [the doctors] don't think he's at any more risk of catastrophic injury than anyone else. There is still a question about his range of motion, how limited the muscles are."
Johnson wore a protective halo for seven weeks following his accident, which many considered career-threatening, and he still has trouble turning his neck to the right. Because of the fractures, Johnson may develop an arthritic condition in his neck later in life, Blase said.
I'm glad he's going to be back in the lineup, maybe the Hawks won't suck next year?
