Broncos CB says he was paralyzed for half an hour

Broncos cornerback De’Vante Bausby says he was paralyzed for half an hour Sunday after wrenching his neck in the second quarter of Denver’s 20-13 win over the Chargers.

“After 30 minutes I could wiggle my toes. After two hours, I could move everything else,” Bausby said Tuesday, hours before being placed on injured reserve.

Bausby collided with linebacker Alexander Johnson while tackling running back Austin Ekeler and crumpled to the grass. He said he never lost consciousness as he was strapped to a backboard, taken off the field on a cart and transported to a Los Angeles trauma center where he was diagnosed with a cervical sprain.

Bausby said he never panicked that he’d be permanently paralyzed because his neurologist reassured him that he’d regain movement.

“I was just calm and I just trusted what our doc was saying,” said Bausby, who was able to walk out of the hospital and rejoin his teammates following their win.

“I was ready to get up out of Los Angeles,” Bausby said. “I was happy to rejoin my team on a plane ride back here.”

Bausby was walking gingerly 48 hours after injuring his neck.

“I’m good. I’m just moving slow. I’m just kind of weak,” he said. “Once I’m able to, just strengthen up my muscles and I’ll be good to go.”

MLB

HICKS READY TO RETURN >> Injured New York Yankees center fielder Aaron Hicks feels like he’s ready to return to the roster for the AL Championship Series.

Hicks, who has a right elbow flexor strain and last played on Aug. 3, is among a group of players at the Yankees’ complex in Tampa who were not on the AL Division Series roster.

Hicks said Oct. 8 he is “definitely ready to go out there and play.”

“For sure,” Hicks said. “That’s really what I’m getting ready for is to get back and play in the playoffs. Get back to playing baseball.”

New York, which completed a three-game sweep of Minnesota on Oct. 7, will face either Houston or Tampa Bay in Game 1 of ALCS on Saturday night.

Hicks is facing live pitching and throwing to bases.

“I’m pretty much doing everything,” Hicks said.

Hicks watched the Yankees’ series-clinching win with Rays catcher Travis d’Arnaud and his family at a restaurant in St. Petersburg.