The Buffalo Bills’ Kevin Everett sustained a “catastrophic” and life-threatening spinal-cord injury and his chances of regaining a full range of body motion are very small, an orthopedic surgeon said yesterday (Monday).
“A best-case scenario is full recovery, but not likely,” Dr. Andrew Cappuccino said, one day after performing a four-hour operation on the player. “I believe there will be some permanent neurological paralysis. … A full neurological recovery was bleak, dismal.”
Cappuccino noted the 25-year-old reserve tight end did have touch sensation throughout his body and also showed signs of movement. But he cautioned that Everett’s injury remained life-threatening, saying the player is still susceptible to blood clots, infection and breathing failure.
Everett is currently under forced sedation and breathing through a respirator as doctors wait for the swelling to lessen. Cappuccino said it will take up to three days to determine the severity of the injury and the recovery process.
Everett was hurt in Buffalo’s season opener against Denver on Sunday when he ducked his head while driving in to tackle Broncos’ Domenik Hixon during the second half-opening kickoff. Everett dropped face first to the ground after his helmet hit Hixon high on the left shoulder and side of the helmet.
Replays showed the player twitching for a few seconds as he attempted to get up before falling back to the ground. Everett’s eyes were open but he showed no further signs of movement during the next 15 minutes as the team’s medical staff and emergency personnel placed him on a backboard and, with the player’s head and body immobilized, loaded him into an ambulance at the Broncos 30.
Buffalo’s 2005 third-round draft pick out of Miami, Everett missed his rookie season because of a knee injury. He spent most of last year playing special teams. He was hoping to make an impact as a receiver.