Torell Troup Injury: Same Ailment That Forced Johnny Knox Retirement

Chicago Bears wide receiver Johnny Knox told reporters on Wednesday that he's done with football thanks to a vicious back injury that required spinal surgery. When those reports surfaced, Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Torell Troup took to Twitter.

Wow johnny knox and I both had the same injury. Cant believe he is hanging up the cleats but i cant understand... its no joke.

— torell troup (@TorellTroup) February 14, 2013

Troup, a 2010 second-round draft pick that has thus far only appeared in 21 games, landed on IR with the back injury in 2011, had off-season surgery, and then couldn't make it through camp practices healthy last summer before the team shut him down for the year again in mid-August. BuffaloBills.com recently caught up with Troup on his road back to the lineup, but clearly, the 315-pound defensive tackle still has the injury on his mind.

I need 2 get in touch with Johnny knox. I really would like to talk to him about his injury compared to mine. Anyone help me reach out 2 him

— torell troup (@TorellTroup) February 14, 2013

The Bills have a need for a wave defensive tackle that can plug running lanes in Mike Pettine's hybrid defense, and that's the role that the Bills had in mind for Troup when they took him with the No. 41 overall pick in the first draft Buddy Nix put together as GM. His playing career appears to be in a better place thanks to the surgery and what will eventually be a year and a half of rehab, but his spot on the roster may be tenuous at best with a new coaching staff in town.

Still, Troup has been upbeat throughout the entire process, and it'll be interesting to see what he can accomplish this summer as he fights for a roster spot in training camp.

I think i have a lot more football to go. I worked to hard for this past year to hang it up now.

— torell troup (@TorellTroup) February 14, 2013