Spine injury lands Everett in surgery

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. - Buffalo Bills reserve tight end Kevin Everett had surgery yesterday after injuring his spine on a kickoff against the Denver Broncos, and there is concern about whether he will be able to walk again.

"He's had some sparse movement," Everett's agent, Brian Overstreet, told the Associated Press in a phone interview. "The next couple of days is going to be critical. Our concern is for him to come out of this healthy and, hopefully, be able to walk again."

Overstreet said Everett came out of a "lengthy surgery" last night.

Everett fell to the ground and never moved after a helmet-to-helmet hit when he tackled Denver's Domenik Hixon during a kickoff to open the second half. Everett was placed on a backboard with his head and body immobilized, and carefully loaded into an ambulance at the Broncos' 30. The game was delayed for about 15 minutes.

Bills coach Dick Jauron said immediately after the game that the player sustained a cervical spine injury. General manager Marv Levy said doctors informed the team they will know more after monitoring the player overnight.