ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — Bills tight end Kevin Everett has been released from a Houston hospital to resume his next phase of rehab, 10 weeks since sustaining a severe spinal cord injury.

"While this news is a significant milestone for me, I still have a long journey to full recovery," Everett said in a statement released yesterday by Houston's Memorial Hermann/TIRR, where the player spent the past two months in rehab.

It was unclear when this week he was released, but Everett will continue his rehab at the facility as an outpatient.

"I was fortunate to meet many extraordinary people at Memorial Hermann/TIRR, many who have suffered the same or similar injury as myself, many of whom I now consider friends," Everett said. "Their courage and determination inspired me to fight every day for recovery of my ability to walk."

Everett returned to his home in Houston in time to watch the New England Patriots top the host Bills, 56-10, yesterday.

In a surprise, Everett delivered an inspirational message to his teammates and fans before the game.

The sellout crowd watched in silence and then broke out in a wild cheer after the 25-second clip was broadcast prior to the opening kickoff.

Everett was hurt while making a tackle covering a kickoff during Buffalo's season opener against Denver on Sept. 9.

He has made significant progress since he was carried off the field paralyzed from the neck down, and after doctors initially feared he'd never walk again.

Besides moving his arms and legs, Everett has developed enough strength to hold himself up briefly on a walker, and has also been using his feet to push himself around in a wheelchair.

Everett makes his offseason home in Houston and grew up in nearby Port Arthur, Texas.

SIDELINED

Giants LB Mathias Kiwanuka broke his left leg on the second play of a 16-10 win over Detroit. RB Brandon Jacobs also left with a hamstring injury. ... The Raiders lost CB Nnamdi Asamouga (concussion) and RT Cornell Green (ankle). ... The Vikings lost CB Antoine Winfield (hamstring). ... Falcons DT Trey Lewis appeared to sustain a season-ending knee injury, and OT Todd Weiner (knee), TE Dwayne Blakley (neck, head) and DT Rod Coleman (arm, hand) also went down. ... Patriots RB Kevin Faulk sustained a head injury on a hit against Buffalo.

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