DaVon Hamilton came within minutes of permanent paralysis when a rare spinal infection struck during the 2023 NFL season.
The Jacksonville Jaguars defensive tackle developed a spinal epidural abscess on August 17 while participating in joint practices against the Detroit Lions. The condition caused severe compression on his spinal cord. Jaguars medical staff had never encountered this type of infection in an NFL player before.
Neurosurgeon Bradley Wallace described the urgency. "He was almost paralyzed at this point. This was a minutes-can-make-a-difference kind of thing." Emergency surgery took place on August 20. Hamilton then completed eight weeks of antibiotics delivered through a PICC line.
Hamilton returned to the active roster on October 28 and appeared in eight games that season. He posted a career-high 62 tackles in 2024. In 2025 he anchored the league's top run defense with 38 tackles and one sack.
"I'm extremely blessed," Hamilton said. "It's never really seen in football players or healthy people in general." Team physician Michael Kaplan presented the case at a medical conference in February 2025, highlighting how uncommon the infection remains among elite athletes.
Hamilton's recovery allowed him to resume his role as a key interior lineman for the Jaguars. His quick return after such a serious medical event underscored both the rapid intervention by team doctors and his own determination to regain full strength. Throughout his rehabilitation Hamilton worked closely with strength coaches to rebuild core stability and mobility while avoiding setbacks. The entire process highlighted the importance of early detection in contact sports where spinal issues can escalate rapidly without immediate care.
