Johnny Knox was released by the Chicago Bears this week and multiple reports suggest he is unlikely to ever play football again.

"He had to work himself back up to where he could even walk," former Bears assistant coach Darryl Drake told the Chicago Tribune. "He had to work to get himself up out of bed. Hopefully, he'll continue to work and get himself back to where he can have the quality of life that he needs to have."

Knox's agent said that he intended to play in 2013.

The Chicago Bears have terminated the contract of Johnny Knox.

Knox started in 27 of 45 games from 2009 until 2011 with the Bears.

Knox was in the final year of his contract and received $1.26 million despite spending the entire 2012 season on the physically unable to perform list.

Knox suffered a back injury in 2011 that required surgery to stabilize a fractured vertebra.

The Chicago Bears have signed cornerback LeQuan Lewis.

Lewis has played with the Titans, Raiders, Jets, Cowboys and Buccaneers over just two seasons.

The Chicago Bears will increase the salary of Tim Jennings by $1 million.

Jennings had the sixth-best mark amongst NFL cornerbacks in 2012 based on metrics by Pro Football Focus.

Jennings will earn $4.25 million.