Grant Milton transferred from a facility in The Woodlands to TIRR Memorial Hermann

THE WOODLANDS, Texas -- Grant Milton has been transferred from The Woodlands to TIRR Memorial Hermann, a top rehabilitation and research hospital in Houston.

Grant, 18, suffered a traumatic brain injury Nov. 26 at a football game as the The Woodlands High School Highlanders faced off against Austin Bowie in Waco.

Grant spent several weeks in intensive care at a hospital in Waco before being transferred to a facility in The Woodlands.

His father, Miles Milton, said Grant had to be considered clinically stable before being transferred to TIRR.

"His heart rate, blood pressure and temperature have been in the normal range for quite some time, but the key was to be off the ventilator and breathing on his own," Miles said.

Grant is currently breathing through a tracheotomy, which is an incision in the windpipe. Miles said they expect that to diminish over the next couple of weeks, allowing Grant to breathe exclusively through his mouth and nose.

Meanwhile, Miles said the swelling in Grant's brain continues to decrease, and although he remains in a coma he comes in and out of a wakeful state.

"What he can't do yet is physically move on command, or speak," Miles said. "He appears to be conscious at times, but not able to connect."

Grant is in the Disorders of Consciousness Program at TIRR, which treats patients in a condition of altered consciousness. Miles said Grant will be there at least 3-4 months.

"This is emotionally draining," Miles said. "But we have a great peace around us, that things are going to be ok. Whatever that level of 'ok' is remains to be seen."

You can follow Grant's journey on CaringBridge.