updated 8:37 p.m. ET Oct. 28, 2005

AURORA, Colo. - Denver Broncos offensive lineman Dwayne Carswell was upgraded to serious condition Friday, a day after having his spleen removed and undergoing other surgery after a five-car traffic accident on his way to practice.

“He’s doing better, a lot better,” coach Mike Shanahan said. “They think he will be able to sit up soon. He’s still in the intensive care unit, but they’re hoping he can be out of there by tomorrow.”

A team spokesman said Carswell had tubes removed and was breathing without assistance.

“We feel good about his progress, which is a great sign,” Shanahan said. “It’s going to take some time to recover ... because a lot of those organs were pushed up very high in his body.”

Aurora police issued a summons to Marquita Brister, 22, for investigation of careless driving. Police spokesman Anthony Guzman said investigators believe she triggered the crash by making an abrupt lane change. Brister was treated and released from the hospital shortly after the accident.

Carswell, a 12-year veteran, suffered multiple rib fractures, a ruptured diaphragm, ruptured spleen and other internal injuries.

Guzman said Carswell was in one of three cars traveling south on Parker Road — a busy, eight-lane thoroughfare that passes close to Broncos headquarters in suburban Denver — when two northbound cars collided and veered into the southbound lanes.

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Both doors and much of the front and rear fenders on the driver’s side of Carswell’s car, a 1994 Chevrolet sedan, were torn off and crumpled.

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