ATLANTA - Devon Gales', the Southern University football player injured during a game in September learned from his doctors Thursday he'll be out of the hospital next week.

Gales, a wide receiver, has been at the Shepard Center in Atlanta, Georgia, for months undergoing surgery and rehabilitation. WBRZ reporter Jessical LeBlanc previously reported on WBRZ broadcasts and WBRZ.com Gales was tentatively scheduled to return to Baton Rouge on February 24. Doctors affirmed his release Thursday, family members said.

Shortly after lunch, Gales and his mother me with doctors at the Shepard Center. Gales' mom has been with him in Atlanta while his father handles family business in Louisiana.

Gales suffered a spinal cord injury in the SU game against the Georgia Bulldogs during the 2015 football season. Finally, by the end of the year or early 2016, Gales was moving his legs again.

"It felt like the Lord was giving me a chance at walking again. Little by little," Gales told LeBlanc in a previous report.

Gales spends upwards of six days a week in rehab, working with therapists from 9 to 5. Gales said he feels like he's at work, working full time on his recovery.

"The workouts start as soon as I wake up," he said.

"I'm going to walk, in just a matter of time," he added.

Family members said while he'll be released next week, he won't return to Baton Rouge until the first week of March.  They have business to deal with in Georgia, sources said. 

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