CANTON, Ohio -- Houston Texans safety Leomont Evans walked in the hospital Tuesday, and showed so much improvement that he was expected to return to Houston and begin rehabilitation this week.

Evans bruised his spinal cord in a collision during the first half of the Texans' NFL debut in the Hall of Fame Game on Monday night and temporarily lost feeling in his arms and legs.

Texans physician Dr. Walter Lowe said Tuesday evening in Houston that Evans continued to improve. He said Evans would remain in Aultman Hospital in Canton overnight and return to Houston on Wednesday.

''He's doing great, but is a little scared about the seriousness of it,'' Lowe said.

Lowe declined to say if Evans would return to playing.

''There is a lot of information that still has to be gathered including personal information, before any decision like that can be made,'' Lowe said.

Lowe said Evans would begin rehabilitation work when he returns.

The Texans returned to Houston early Tuesday morning after the 34-17 defeat against the New York, but left behind a member of their training staff to be with Evans.

Early in the second quarter of the game Monday night, Evans was injured while rushing a punt. After crossing the line of scrimmage, Evans lowered his helmet and drove it into the chest of Giants running back Sean Bennett.

Evans' body went limp and he dropped to the artificial turf as the ball was kicked.

He was motionless as the play unfolded around him and teammate Avion Black returned the punt 71 yards with 12:24 remaining in the first half.

Houston's training staff went on the field to tend to Evans, who signed with the club as a free agent in December.

As Evans was being treated, the Texans knelt as a group in prayer in front of their bench. On the other sideline, about a dozen New York players -- led by All-Pro Michael Strahan -- dropped to a knee.

Emergency personnel strapped Evans on a backboard and took his facemask off before immobilizing his head and placing him on the stretcher.

Evans, who played at Clemson, was drafted by Washington in the fifth round in 1996.

He started all 16 games with the Redskins in 1999. He was cut in 2000 by Detroit and played last year in the XFL.