NEW YORK (Reuters) - The Buffalo Bills on Tuesday released Kevin Everett in a move that will allow the injured tight end to apply for disability benefits.

Everett suffered a spine injury during a game on September 9 last year against the Denver Broncos and doctors initially said he would not walk again.

But the 26-year-old Everett has since regained some use of his arms and legs and is able to walk on his own.

"Today we are faced with the difficult decision to place Kevin on the Waived/Failed Physical list, making him eligible to apply for any benefits due him," the Bills said in a statement on their Web site (www.buffalobills.com/).

"We had numerous discussions with the league in dealing with this process to assist him in the best way possible."

The Bills said Everett's recovery "is nothing short of a miracle" and that he would be held in the same light as some of the franchise's best all-time players.

"Kevin will always remain a Buffalo Bill in the same way that Jim Kelly, Thurman Thomas and so many others before him are held in the highest regard by our franchise," the team said.

(Editing by Clare Lovell)

LIKE IT?  LET OTHERS KNOW