Doctors are "optimistic" that Deftones bassist Chi Cheng will recover from life-threatening injuries suffered in a car accident last week.

According to a post over the weekend on the band's blog, Cheng was able to move his lower lip after prompting by his father, and both of his legs responded with movement after a tendon reflex test.

Cheng's life was likely saved thanks to three off-duty EMTs who happened to be driving by the scene of the accident, the post says.

It is unknown if Cheng's injury will delay the Deftones' next album, "Eros," which had been expected in the spring via Warner Bros.