Illinois player severely injures spine near home in swimming accident

Illinois defensive end Bobby Roundtree severely injured his spine in a weekend swimming accident near his Florida home. He had surgery at Mease Countryside Hospital in Safety Harbor on Sunday, a day after the accident, the university said on its website Monday. There were no details on what happened or an update on his condition.

Illinois coach Lovie Smith and assistants went to Florida.

Roundtree is heading into his junior year, having started 20 games in his first two seasons and making 11½ sacks.