Posted by ESPN.com's Ted Miller

Washington State running back James Montgomery's leg surgery Sunday wasn't typical by any means. A lot more was at stake than playing football in a week or two.

His life for one.

And his leg.

Consider this from the Tacoma News Tribune:

"Close friend Dwight Tardy, a senior running back, said team doctor Ed Tingstad told him Montgomery “probably could have died” if a Sunday morning operation had been delayed too long. A wait of one to two hours might have led to amputation, Tardy said Tingstad told him."

That should stop you short.

I had never heard of "acute compartment syndrome" before Tuesday. A Washington State spokesperson told me Tuesday afternoon it was a potentially serious issue but that Montgomery's prognosis is good, though it could take up to a year before he will know his football future.

Montgomery remains in the hospital under observation.