Ricardo Lockette released from hospital, 'road to recovery has begun,' he says

RENTON, Wash. (AP) - Seahawks wide receiver Ricardo Lockette had surgery to stabilize ligaments in his neck Monday, a day after being taken off the field on a backboard just before halftime of Seattle's game at Dallas.

The game was stopped for several minutes before Lockette was taken from the stadium and transported to hospital.

Medical staff prepare to cart Ricardo Lockette off the field as head coach Pete Carroll, front right, watches in the first half of an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys, Sunday, November 1, 2015, in Arlington, Texas.

Seahawks linebacker Bruce Irvin tweeted Sunday night that Bryant was talking to an official, not about Lockette.

Following their 13-12 victory over the Dallas Cowboys Sunday, the Seahawks returned to Seattle to begin a bye week.

Marshawn Lynch and Russell Okung stayed with their teammate during surgery, while the rest of the NFC West squad traveled back home.

He has since had an operation to stabilise ligament and disc damage in his neck and posted on Instagram on Thursday: "Thanks for all the support".

"I won't ever, ever wish bad on a player that's been knocked down". Heath did not apologize for the hit.

"I'm not going to apologize for playing hard", Heath said, according to The Dallas Morning News. "The league will figure that out", Carroll said.

Jeff Heath, an undrafted free agent in 2013, on Tuesday said that he messaged Ricardo Lockette via SMS but had not received any response from the Seattle Seahawks' running back.

"As part of the discipline process, when it's reviewed during the week, you can consider mitigating factors, mitigating factors such as the receiver's head level changing". He has four catches for 69 yards and one touchdown for Seattle this season.