Chambers is a Charger

CHRIS CHAMBERS 31 receptions

The San Diego Chargers acquired Chris Chambers from the Miami Dolphins just before yesterday's trade deadline, giving quarterback Philip Rivers a veteran wide receiver to work with.

In return, the Dolphins will receive a 2008 second-round draft pick.

The trade came as the Chargers put their No. 1 wide receiver, Eric Parker, on the injured reserved list with a broken right big toe. Parker has been out since June.

Chambers, who is signed through 2009, has 31 receptions for 415 yards and no touchdowns this season. He was a second-round choice by Miami in 2001 and enjoyed his best season in 2005, when he made 82 catches for 1,118 yards and 11 scores, and was voted to the Pro Bowl.

"Oh man, it's a pleasure," Chambers said after learning he was going from the winless Dolphins to the defending AFC West champion Chargers. "It's going to be very interesting."

Chambers will be reunited with Chargers coach Norv Turner, who was Miami's offensive coordinator in 2002-03.

Meanwhile, the Chargers' offense will have to deal with some instability on the line as Pro Bowl center Nick Hardwick is expected to be out up to four weeks with a sprained right foot.

Everett improves

Kevin Everett has developed enough strength to hold himself up briefly on a walker, and he also can use his feet to push himself around in a wheelchair, the latest signs of progress as the Buffalo Bills tight end recovers from a severe spinal cord injury.

"He's making very solid and noticeable progress," Eric Armstead, an associate of the player's agent, Brian Overstreet, told the Associated Press. "He's very excited."

Armstead regularly visits Everett, who entered the second phase of his recovery process three weeks ago when he was transferred to Houston's Memorial Hermann Hospital. "He can go from point A to B on his feet in a wheelchair. He can go as far as he wants to go," Armstead said.

Everett was hurt making a tackle in the season opener against Denver Sept. 9. He arrived at Buffalo's Millard Fillmore Hospital paralyzed from the neck down, and doctors initially feared he'd never walk again.

The prognosis changed a few days later when Everett began showing voluntary movement first in his legs and then his hands.

Bennett to Bucs

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers acquired running back Michael Bennett from the Kansas City Chiefs, hoping he helps them compensate for the loss of injured tailbacks Carnell "Cadillac" Williams and Michael Pittman. Tampa Bay will give up undisclosed draft picks in 2008 and 2009 based on performance criteria. Bennett, a first-round draft pick of the Minnesota Vikings in 2001, was a Pro Bowl selection in 2002 . . . The injury-depleted Arizona Cardinals signed former Boston College quarterback Tim Hasselbeck two days after starter Kurt Warner hurt his elbow in a 25-10 loss to Carolina. Warner had replaced Matt Leinart, who was lost for the season with a broken collarbone one week earlier. Hasselbeck, who had been working in radio and television since his release by the New York Giants Sept. 1, will back up Tim Rattay, who starts Sunday at Washington . . . When asked who would start Carolina's next game, Panthers coach John Fox signaled it was an open competition between David Carr and former Patriot Vinny Testaverde, the 43-year-old who paced the Panthers past Arizona last Sunday. "I think right now we're going to evaluate it as we go," Fox said . . . Chris McAlister told the Baltimore Sun he has been told by the Ravens he will miss three weeks with a strained right knee, but the Pro Bowl cornerback wouldn't rule out returning Nov. 5.

Springs in a coma

Former Cowboys running back Ron Springs is hospitalized in a coma in Dallas more than seven months after receiving a kidney donated by ex-teammate Everson Walls. The Washington Redskins said cornerback Shawn Springs, son of the 50-year-old Springs, has flown to Dallas to be with his father. "[Shawn] has flown down there - it's a very tough time for them because I think it's very, very serious," Redskins coach Joe Gibbs said. It wasn't clear what caused Ron Springs, who suffered from diabetes, to lapse into a coma or when he was hospitalized

Holmes to practice

Kansas City Chiefs running back Priest Holmes will practice today for the first time since a severe 2005 head and neck injury. Chiefs coach Herm Edwards repeated yesterday there's a chance the three-time Pro Bowler could play at Oakland. Holmes "will put the pads on. He will put the helmet on. Whether he participates in the game or not, we'll see how practice goes," Edwards said . . . Receiver Tab Perry (hip) and safety Ethan Kilmer (knee) were placed on injured reserve by Cincinnati. The Bengals also signed free agent receiver Courtney Roby to a two-year deal . . . The New York Giants are back in the playoff hunt because they haven't forgotten their 0-2 start. "We do have a sign that says, 'Prepare, practice, and play as if you lost your last game,' " coach Tom Coughlin said. "I think that mentality kind of says it all. You can never be satisfied." Since opening the season with embarrassing losses to Dallas and Green Bay, the Giants have reeled off four straight wins, the latest a 31-10 decision over the hapless Atlanta Falcons (1-5) Monday night. The win over the Falcons might have been the Giants' best game of the season. The offense had its biggest output since January 2002, gaining 491 yards . . . A federal judge in Richmond, Va., approved the neutering of 48 fighting dogs seized from Michael Vick's rural home and the appointment of an expert to decide the animals' future. Vick, the former Falcons QB, and three co-defendants pleaded guilty to a federal dogfighting charge. Meanwhile, Wachovia Bank in Atlanta is seeking about $940,000 from Vick and a business partner, claiming that since Vick's indictment, they defaulted on a loan to set up a wine shop and restaurant.