LAKE FOREST, Ill. -- Initially, the injury didn’t appear to be serious. Domenik Hixon popped up after being shaken up during a drill Tuesday at organized team activities, but he later indicated he won’t be a contributor for the Chicago Bears in 2014, posting on Facebook he’s torn an anterior cruciate ligament for the third time.
Based on his post, Hixon believes the injury will end his NFL career. A league source confirmed the severity of the injury, revealing Hixon tore his right ACL.
“I tore my ACL today for the third time today!” Hixon posted. “I’m disappointed that I won’t be playing for a Bears team that has players and coaches to win the Super Bowl. I thank God for letting me live my dream of playing in the NFL for 8 plus years. It has truly been FUN! #blessed #lovethis game.”
Hixon, 29, played last season with the Carolina Panthers and had previous stints with the New York Giants and Denver Broncos. Hixon signed a one-year deal with the Bears in March worth $823,750 to compete as a contributor on special teams or as a fourth, fifth or sixth receiver.
“We’re bringing him in to compete, to find a spot on our roster,” Bears general manager Phil Emery said after the club signed Hixon. “Obviously, we like his size. I always like receivers that come in and they’re about an inch and a half taller than me. He’s got huge hands, great straight-line speed. He’s been a good [special] teams player. He’s returned kicks. So it’s up to him to find his spot on the squad, and that opportunity is there. That’s what we’re trying to create: competition. Best man wins.”
Listed at 6-foot-2 and 205 pounds, Hixon averaged 10.8 yards per punt return and 24.6 yards on kickoff returns in his career.
Last season for Carolina, he caught just seven passes in 15 games, and despite plenty of experience as a return man, he wasn’t asked to perform such duties.
Hixon put together his best season with the Giants in 2008, catching 43 passes for 596 yards and two touchdowns.
