Bills' Everett stirs more optimism with improvement

Everett demonstrated that positive attitude and determination to recover when he had to overcome two previous injuries, said Dr. Walt Lowe, co-director of the Roger Clemens Institute for Sports Medicine and Human Performance.

In college at Miami, Everett required surgery for a shoulder injury, and he missed most of his rookie year with the Bills because of torn knee ligament.

"Kevin has overcome major surgical events, major injuries over and over again," said Lowe, team physician for the Houston Texans. "In each one of those settings, he exhibited an incredible positive attitude and the will to get over it."

But Castillo and the other doctors stressed Everett's recovery would be a long process.

Before he can walk, Everett first has to tolerate long periods of sitting, then move to standing activities.

"The main thing is we have to base it on what he shows us," said Castillo. "So far everything looks bright, and I'm optimistic that walking would definitely be a possibility for him."