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ESPN's Chris Mortensen receives 'very encouraging' health update

Veteran ESPN NFL reporter Chris Mortensen has been undergoing treatment for Stage IV throat cancer, but now he's in the recovery stage.

"I received very encouraging news last week from my oncologist team of doctors at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center that now enables me to completely focus on recovery rather than treatment," he said in a statement. "The Stage IV throat (oropharyngel) cancer that was diagnosed in early January and treated with intensive chemotherapy and radiation has been virtually reduced to zero detection of the disease through the latest scans and exams."

Mortensen, 64, has been on a leave of absence at the network in recent months, and has made very few public appearances.