Etheridge: After neck injury, walking "a miracle"

AUBURN, Ala. (AP) Auburn's Zac Etheridge says he feels blessed to be able to walk.

With his neck immobilized by a brace, the Auburn safety spoke to reporters Tuesday, three days after injuring his neck in the Mississippi game.

He said his fifth vertebrae was cracked and he sustained torn ligaments in his neck in a headfirst collision with teammate Antonio Coleman.

Etheridge said he wants to play again and doctors told him he should be able to. He has to wear the brace for three to four months.

The junior said he probably will not attend Saturday's game with Furman, but "I will definitely be at the Iron Bowl" against rival Alabama.

He was released from a Birmingham hospital Monday.

Updated November 3, 2009

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