Johnny Knox is hoping to play in 2012 as he recovers from a serious back injury. "The reality is, we love Johnny Knox, and we're rooting for him, and we're hoping he can get back," Bears president Ted Phillips said. "And as soon as he gets back, we hope to have the ability to give him an opportunity to earn his spot back because he's meant a lot to us." The Chicago Tribune has reported that Knox was scheduled to start the season on the physically unable to perform list, citing multiple sources, and that there was a "strong chance" the receiver wouldn't play at all in 2012. Knox has a daunting challenge before him, since he required surgery to stabilize a vertebra in his back after a horrific hit in a 38-14 loss to the Seahawks on Dec. 18. But his agent, Marc Lillibridge, reiterated on Monday that Knox has had no setbacks, and he's aiming to play in 2012. "We are six months away from that decision," Lillibridge said.