Walter Spencer.

THE CANADIAN PRESS

MONTREAL -- The Montreal Alouettes were relieved that linebacker Walter Spencer is recovering from a stabbing incident.

Team executive Claude Rochon announced Tuesday that Spencer's condition has improved significantly and he is in stable condition, but he will need to stay in hospital a few more days. He said the player's fiancee as well as family members from his hometown of Detroit were with him as he is treated in intensive care at the trauma centre of Montreal General Hospital.

The 31-year-old was stabbed twice in the chest during an argument outside a bar at 2:50 a.m. ET Monday morning. He needed emergency surgery for the wounds, one of which a CFL source said was to a lung.

Police are investigating the incident. Rochon said he was unaware if any other players were at the scene or would be interviewed by police.

"I'm real sad for Walter," said coach Marc Trestman. "At the end of the day I'm grateful that he's going to be OK and that he's safe. I want everyone to know that he's been nothing but a great teammate for these guys."

Trestman could not say how long he expects Spencer to be out of action or whether his career is in danger.

"I wouldn't begin to speculate," he said. "He had a very serious surgery. The most important thing is he's going to be OK. He's still not out of trouble, but he is stable and that's a good sign.

"We'll see how he is in the next few weeks, but common sense would tell me that it will be quite some time before he's ready to play football again."

The team gave no details of the incident, which reportedly occurred outside the Koi nightclub on St-Laurent Blvd.

Spencer did not violate any team rules by being out late the night before team meetings.

Trestman said he knows of no other similar off-field incidents in his two-plus years as head coach of the team and considers this an "anomaly," but added that players must make smart choices.

"We're not going to let one incident brand us as a football team," he said. "I'm not going comment because I don't know exactly where Walter was or why he was there.

"All I know is that he was injured badly and he's going to be OK and I feel grateful for that ... I'm just hopeful that we all can take a step back and look at ourselves and make sure we're doing the right thing for ourselves and each other."

Linebacker Shea Emry said it the stabbing was "one of those things that can happen at any time. I don't think it's a mistake on anyone's part. But we're just glad Walt is safe and hopefully I can go visit him when he's ready."

But Rochon said it "shows maybe they should be more conscious of where they go and what they do and even what they say. It gets more attention because of the media but the same thing can happen to just about anybody."

The seven-year CFL veteran, the last four with Montreal, is one of the Alouettes' top special teams tacklers and slots in occasionally for Emry at middle linebacker.

Trestman said it is too early to decide how Spencer will be replaced, but another special teams ace Paul Waldu said it would be difficult.

"He's irreplaceable," said Waldu. "You can talk to teams around the country -- he is a guy that teams need to double team, who they star on the board. He's a priority and always had been. It's a tough loss and now we need guys to step up."

Safety Etienne Boulay said the players hope to go to the hospital when Spencer is ready to receive visitors other than family. He also hopes the team pays tribute to Spencer, perhaps by wearing his No. 46 on their shirts on helmets.

"It was a big shock to the team," he said. "But we're happy he's surrounded by good people and we know the police are investigating."

Spencer was born in Detroit, but spent several years in Windsor, Ont., and counts as a Canadian in the CFL.

He spent his first two seasons with the Saskatchewan Roughriders and played one year for the Calgary Stampeders before signing with the Alouettes in 2007.