Brigham Young University linebacker Colby Jorgensen was forced to undergo emergency surgery on Tuesday after fracturing his neck and slipping a disk in practice.

According to a Daily Herald story, the sophomore was in surgery for several hours and is going to have a long road back to recovery. Daily Herald reporter Jared Lloyd spoke to Jorgensen’s brother, Austen, who said Colby was lucky he didn’t end up paralyzed from the injury.

BYU will kick off the season by traveling to Lincoln to take on the Huskers Sept. 5. Three weeks later, the Cougars will return to Big Ten country to square off with Michigan to close out the non-conference slate.