Macon Mayhem player suffers serious spine injury during a game. What we know

Macon Mayhem forward Justin Thompson, 25, needs surgery after experiencing a serious spine injury during a game Saturday night against the Roanoke Rail Yard Dogs.

The Mayhem said in a Facebook post that Thompson sustained a cervical spinal injury during the game’s third period and was taken to a local hospital.

“Following initial evaluations, Thompson has been confirmed to have suffered a cervical spine injury and will require surgery,” the team said in a statement.

An earlier release posted to the team’s website said Thompson was injured after Roanoke’s CJ Valerian struck Thompson into the boards in the last five minutes of the game.

Thompson is able to move his extremities, the team said. The team did not disclose when the surgery was scheduled.

“The Macon Mayhem organization is keeping Justin and his family in our thoughts, and are hopeful for a successful surgery and full recovery,” the Macon Mayhem said.

This story was originally published November 24, 2025 at 1:00 PM.