JAURON

FOXBORO — When tight end Kevin Everett suffered a spinal-cord injury in the Buffalo Bills’ season opener against Denver, the Bills’ season could have gone down with him.

But as Everett has made miraculous improvement, Buffalo has found a way to survive season-ending injuries to 12 players, the shuffling of its quarterbacks, and has clawed over .500 as it enters Sunday’s game against New England thanks to a four-game win streak.

Though the Bills are one of the youngest teams in the league, at 31, tight end Ryan Neufeld is the oldest player on the roster, they have been able to weather difficulties that might have crippled other teams.

They have found their inspiration in Everett, who suffered a cervical spine fracture covering the second-half kickoff against the Broncos. The initial prognosis for the third-year reserve, who had been a roommate of Pats rookie Kareem Brown at the University of Miami, was grim. Doctors termed the damage as “catastrophic” and put his chances of walking again at less than 10 percent. But less than six weeks after his injury, Everett was transferred to a hospital in his hometown of Houston, and was taking steps with the assistance of a walker.

The experience has brought the Bills closer.

“It’s really been a pretty close team and they’ve been through a whole lot of things at the beginning of this year that have really had an impact on everyone in their own way and probably the whole group, too,” coach Dick Jauron said yesterday. “I would say that’s been positive only because Kevin Everett, who was at the center of a lot of stuff here early, and still is, is doing well and keeps making progress.” While Everett’s injury was the most difficult to endure, Buffalo has sent 11 other players to injured reserve, including key contributors Ko Simpson, a safety, rookie linebacker Paul Posluszny (who broke his arm against New England), offensive lineman Jason Whittle, and receiver Peerless Price. Yesterday, the Bills added two more to their list: tight end Matt Murphy and corner Kiwaukee Thomas.

Quarterback J.P. Losman compared his team to the Patriots for their ability to sustain so many injuries.

“We’ve just been able to overcome a lot and it’s a tribute to the character of the guys we have on our team. I wouldn’t say we’re the only team that’s done it,” said Losman. “Speaking of New England, they’ve been able to overcome injuries and [have] still been able to be successful.”

Players such as middle linebacker John DiGiorgio, an undrafted rookie last year, who is second on the team with 76 tackles, an interception, fumble recovery and sack, have been the ones to step up. Rookie quarterback Trent Edwards, who stepped under center on the second play of the Bills’ opening drive in Foxboro after Vince Wilfork fell onto Losman’s knee, is among them as well.

“They’re a real good group,” Jauron said. “Hard working, not afraid to work, not afraid to be pushed, not afraid to be coached. They appear to like each other and enjoy each other’s company.”

Pats’ linebacker Mike Vrabel is impressed with Buffalo’s improvement.

“I think that they’ve certainly gotten better since they’ve played us. I think that’s the thing that we need to realize. We’re going to see a different football team than the one we saw here,” Vrabel said.