NFL: Springs comatose
Former Dallas Cowboys running back Ron Springs has been hospitalized in a coma, more than seven months after receiving a kidney donated by ex-teammate Everson Walls.
The Washington Redskins said Tuesday cornerback Shawn Springs, son of the 50-year-old Springs, has left the team 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 immediately clear what caused Ron Springs, who has diabetes, to lapse into a coma or when he was hospitalized. Calls to the family weren’t returned.
In February, Walls donated his kidney to the ailing Springs, who had suffered from diabetes for 16 years and had been on the national transplant waiting list since 2004. It was the first transplant between two former U.S. professional athletes.
The disease confined Springs to a wheelchair and led to the amputation of his right foot and the big and middle toes on his left foot.
In an August interview with the Associated Press, Springs said he could feel his health improving each day since the transplant.
“I’m feeling very good,” he said. “Every day I get a little bit better.”
Chargers get Chambers
The next time Chris Chambers steps into a huddle, his teammates will include LaDainian Tomlinson, Antonio Gates and Philip Rivers.
“Oh man, it’s a pleasure,” Chambers said after he was traded from the winless Miami Dolphins to the defending AFC West champion San Diego Chargers. “It’s going to be very interesting. I can’t wait to get out there and help this team win and continue to be successful.”
San Diego gave up a 2008 second-round draft pick for Chambers.
Bennett sent to Buccaneers
Tampa Bay 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.
Bennett, a first-round draft pick of the Minnesota Vikings in 2001, has rushed for 3,426 yards and 12 touchdowns in seven NFL seasons.
Tampa Bay gives up undisclosed draft picks in 2008 and 2009 based on performance criteria.
Bills’ Everett improves
Kevin Everett has developed enough strength to hold himself up briefly on a walker, and he can also 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.”
Around the league
The injury-depleted Arizona Cardinals signed free-agent quarterback Tim Hasselbeck. Hasselbeck will back up Tim Rattay, who starts Sunday at Washington. … 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 said there is a chance he could play Sunday at Oakland. … Receiver Tab Perry and safety Ethan Kilmer were placed on injured reserve, ending their seasons for the Cincinnati Bengals. The Bengals also signed free-agent receiver Courtney Roby to a two-year deal and activated cornerback Johnathan Joseph, who was suspended by the NFL for last Sunday’s game in Kansas City. … A son of Philadelphia Eagles coach Andy Reid was ordered back to jail in Norristown, Pa., after missing a drug test. Garrett Reid, 24, didn’t show up for a scheduled test on Monday, according to prosecutors and his attorney, Ross Weiss. He is required to submit to random tests while awaiting sentencing on drug charges.