CANTON, OHIO ? 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 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.

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

Early in the second quarter of Monday night’s game, 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.