Becker's reported on two athletes who had spine surgery since Sept. 9.
Halapoulivaati Vaitai, an offensive lineman for the Detroit Lions, had spine surgery in Dallas. He was placed on injured reserve Sept. 5, ruling him out for at least the first four games of the NFL season.
Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Jake McCabe underwent a cervical spine procedure and is expected to return to the ice in 10 to 12 weeks. The team did not say who operated on him.