Simon Cowell is still recovering after breaking his back in three places, but according to Howie Mandel, he might soon return to America’s Got Talent.

Howie told E! News that Simon’s injury had thrown the return of the show into “disarray,” adding, “We were worried about our friend, and our boss, and our leader, Simon Cowell.”

“The latest I’ve heard is that after a six-hour operation, and some fused discs, and the rod put in his back, yesterday, he was up on his feet, already, he’s already mobile!” the star said.

“So, as I’ve been saying to a few other people, I wouldn’t count out seeing Simon again before this season’s end,” Howie concluded.

As we previously reported, Simon broke his back while showing off his fancy new $20,000 e-bike to his 6-year-old son, Eric, and 14-year-old stepson, Adam, outside his Malibu home.

“Some good advice … If you buy an electric trail bike, read the manual before you ride it for the first time,” Simon tweeted earlier this week.

We hope he gets better!