A rare cyst was found on the spine of actor Quinton Aaron, best known for playing former NFL offensive lineman Michael Oher in the Academy Award-winning film The Blind Side, his family confirmed to TMZ on Tuesday (January 27).

Aaron, 41, will undergo additional tests to determine whether the cyst is benign and potentially back surgery, which would result in "extensive physical therapy" that could leave him "confined to a wheelchair," according to his family. The update came after Aaron's wife, Margarita, told TMZ that he "opened his eyes" and "gave a thumbs up" on Monday (January 26) after recently being placed on life support.

Aaron was reportedly placed on life support after his legs suddenly gave out while walking up the stairs at his Atlanta home, according to his manager. The actor has reportedly been hospitalized for several days and was “on life support due to a severe blood infection,” according to a GoFundMe launched through Veterans Aid Network to help fund his medical expenses.

"Quinton is currently hospitalized and on life support due to a severe blood infection," the GoFundMe states. "This has been sudden, frightening, and overwhelming for his loved ones. As he fights for his life, his family is facing an immense emotional and financial burden — medical expenses, living costs, and the uncertainty of how long this road to recovery may be.

"When someone is this critically ill, life doesn’t pause. Bills don’t stop. Expenses continue to pile up. And no family should have to choose between focusing on their loved one’s survival and worrying about how they will make it through financially."

Aaron was reported to be in stable condition, communicating with loved ones and breathing on his own, according to TMZ. Doctors are reportedly running tests to evaluate the actor's condition and determine what caused him to collapse.

Aaron had experienced several medical bouts in recent years including an emergency visit to a California hospital after developing a fever and coughing up blood in March 2025, at which point doctors determined he was suffering from Type A flu and pneumonia after running multiple tests. The actor had previously dealt with a severe upper respiratory infection in 2019.

Aaron's other film credits include Halway, Mothers and Daughters and War Dogz.

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