Everett’s step forward is a lift

Kevin Everett was walking around the Buffalo Bills’ locker room Sunday, visiting with teammates before their game against the New York Giants.

The last time many of those teammates had seen Everett, the tight end was being carried off the field at Ralph Wilson Stadium on a stretcher, and many feared he would never walk again after he sustained a severe neck injury on a tackle.

So it’s no surprise they became emotional when Everett made his first appearance in Buffalo since that Sept. 9 game against the Denver Broncos.

“I was speechless, on the verge of tears,” Bills quarterback Trent Edwards said. “I couldn’t stop looking at him.”

Everett was paralyzed and on life support for the first few days after the injury, but he has made a remarkable recovery and though he uses a wheelchair, he is able to walk under his own power for short distances. He has been going though rehab in his hometown of Houston.

Everett was not available for comment. He did, however, meet with Domenik Hixon, the player he was tackling when the injury occurred. Hixon now plays for the Giants.

“It’s a blessing,” Hixon said. “I just want him to make a 100% recovery. I’m going to continue praying for him, and he’s going to make it back 100%.”

Everett watched the game from team owner Ralph Wilson’s suite and even though the Bills lost, it didn’t dampen the day.

“I got to hug him,” Bills tailback Marshawn Lynch said. “That’s good for the heart.”

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The Sapp story

Oakland Raiders defensive tackle Warren Sapp was ejected after receiving three consecutive unsportsmanlike conduct penalties for arguing with referees near the end of the first half of a 49-11 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Sapp drew the first flag when he began arguing with officials over whether his team had accepted a Jacksonville penalty. That gave the Jaguars an automatic first down, which led to more arguing and unsportsmanlike conduct penalties on Sapp and teammate Derrick Burgess.

Sapp kept talking and then drew the third one and the ejection. Players and Coach Lane Kiffin said they were told Sapp made contact with an official.

Teammates had to restrain Sapp, and an assistant coach escorted him off the field.

“It just got out of hand,” cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha said.

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Time change

The NFL has moved next Sunday’s season finale between the Indianapolis Colts and the Tennessee Titans to 5:15 p.m., swapping out the originally planned late game between the New York Jets and Kansas City Chiefs.

Under the flexible schedule agreement for late-season Sunday games, the NFL can move higher-interest games to prime time.

If the Titans defeat the Colts, they’ll earn the sixth seeding in the AFC playoffs and if they lose, they’ll be out of the playoffs.

The Chiefs and Jets will play at 1:15 p.m. The league has also moved Dallas at Washington and Pittsburgh at Baltimore to 1:15 p.m.

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Retiring Young

The San Francisco 49ers paid tribute to defensive lineman Bryant Young, showing a video of his career highlights during player introductions before their victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Young, a 14-year veteran and the only player remaining from the last 49ers Super Bowl team, said this would “most likely” be his final home game.

After the game, teammates carried Bryant on their shoulders and he shared a hug with Buccaneers quarterback Jeff Garcia, a former teammate. Young then did half a victory lap around the field, waving and blowing kisses to the fans.

“It was an emotional moment for me,” Young said. “The fans have been great for most of my career. I just wanted to give them thanks and show them how much I appreciate them.”

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Block party

The Green Bay Packers had gone 12 years and 929 punts without having one blocked, but the Chicago Bears got to Packers punter Jon Ryan twice during a 35-7 Bears victory.

“It was difficult just to catch it back there, but that being said, I knew it was going to be like that in the warmup,” Ryan said of the weather conditions. “I just have to make better adjustments to that.”

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Catching on

Anquan Boldin of the Arizona Cardinals had 13 receptions against the Atlanta Falcons, bringing his career total to 409 and surpassing the 400-receptions mark in fewer games than any player in NFL history.

Boldin reached the mark in his 67th game. Kellen Winslow of the San Diego Chargers did it in 72 games, which was the fewest before Boldin.

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Milestones

Kansas City tight end Tony Gonzalez had 10 receptions for 137 yards at Detroit, giving him 23 100-yard games in his career to trail only Winslow’s total of 24 among tight ends in NFL history. . . . Indianapolis Colts tight end Dallas Clark had six catches and two touchdowns, giving him 57 catches and 11 touchdowns for the season to pass John Mackey’s single-season franchise marks for tight ends in both categories. . . . Cincinnati Bengals kicker Shayne Graham kicked his 29th and 30th field goals, passing Doug Pelfrey for the team single-season record. . . . Seattle Seahawks receiver Bobby Engram had five receptions against the Baltimore Ravens, giving him 90 for the season -- a team record. . . . Cleveland Browns tight end Kellen Winslow Jr. had 73 yards receiving, putting him over 1,000 yards for the first time and, along with Braylon Edwards, giving the Browns a pair of 1,000-yard receivers for the first time.

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Monday preview

The San Diego Chargers (9-5), who play host to the Denver Broncos (6-8), have clinched the AFC West thanks to a four-game win streak. The Chargers have outscored opponents, 130-55, during their streak. The Broncos have lost three of their last four and given up 102 points in the three losses.

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Injury report

An MRI exam on Dallas Cowboys receiver Terrell Owens revealed a high ankle sprain, and he is expected to sit out the regular-season finale against the Washington Redskins. . . . Detroit Lions running back Kevin Jones hurt his knee against the Kansas City Chiefs, and Coach Rod Marinelli said the injury was “pretty serious.” . . . Baltimore Ravens running back Willis MaGahee broke two ribs against the Seattle Seahawks, and his status for next week is uncertain. . . . Indianapolis Colts running back Joseph Addai played sparingly against the Houston Texans, and teammate Anthony Gonzalez, a wide receiver, bruised his foot, but Coach Tony Dungy said the players were “not nicked up too bad.” . . . New York Giants running back Brandon Jacobs sprained an ankle against the Buffalo Bills but says he expects to play next week. . . . New Orleans Saints running back Jamaal Branch broke his leg on a special teams play against the Philadelphia Eagles. . . . Saints receiver Marques Colston left the game because of a bruised chest that had him spitting up blood. . . . Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Brodie Croyle injured his right hand trying to make a tackle after an interception. Coach Herm Edwards said it is not broken. . . . Eagles safety Brian Dawkins injured his foot and will have an MRI exam today.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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peter.yoon@latimes.com