FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — On his first day as the Atlanta Falcons' starting quarterback, Byron Leftwich felt like a kid.
"Football has been really taken away from me the last month and a half," he said. "It just seems like it's a new feeling. It's all fun again. Any time you're not out there, it's a tough situation to deal with."
Whether Leftwich, who was cut before the season started by Jacksonville, can energize Atlanta's struggling offense remains to be seen. First-year coach Bobby Petrino said Wednesday that Leftwich would take over the Falcons (1-5) from Joey Harrington for the rest of the season.
The decision wasn't difficult for Petrino after the offense failed to score off three New York Giants turnovers in a 31-10 loss on Monday. Petrino indicated that Leftwich might have played if he hadn't missed so much practice with an ankle sprain.
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Everett maintains 'positive attitude'
HOUSTON — Buffalo Bills tight end Kevin Everett feels fortunate to be alive, and he is determined to continue the significant progress he's already made in the five weeks since sustaining a severe spinal cord injury.
"I have shown significant progress in my recovery," Everett said Wednesday, in a statement released by Memorial Hermann/TIRR, where the player has spent the past three weeks in rehab. "But I am also fully aware that the recovery from this type of injury I have sustained is filled with many peaks and valleys. While the road to recovery is long and hard, I am determined to fight through it each and every day."
The comments were Everett's first since he was hurt while making a tackle during Buffalo's season opener against Denver on Sept. 9. They came days after Everett was able to take a few first steps with the assistance of a walker and had developed enough strength to use his feet to push himself around in a wheelchair.
Referring to those accomplishments as "great triumphs," Everett added: "I maintain a positive attitude and feel fortunate every day that I am alive and well."
Extra points
● Rams quarterback Marc Bulger is set to return from broken ribs for Sunday's game against Seattle, but tailback Steven Jackson and wide receiver Isaac Bruce remain limited in practice.
● Kansas City tailback Priest Holmes went through a full practice Wednesday for the first time since suffering neck and spinal injuries two years ago and says he's ready to resume his career.
● The NFL reinstated Green Bay wide receiver Koren Robinson from his one-year suspension for violating the league's substance abuse policy. If Robinson violates the policy again, he faces a lifetime ban.
● Five-time Pro Bowl defensive end Richard Seymour did not practice with the New England Patriots on Wednesday, the first day he was eligible after starting the season on the physically unable to perform list because of an injured knee.
● Lions coach Rod Marinelli said tailback Kevin Jones has fully recovered from a foot injury and will start Sunday against Tampa Bay.
● Tennessee quarterback Vince Young did not practice Wednesday because of his strained right quadriceps muscle and his status for availability against the Houston Texans on Sunday is unknown.
