Navorro Bowman, LB, San Francisco 49ers
-Bowman suffered his brutal knee injury in the 2013 NFC Championship game. He's been on the shelf for much more than a full calendar year. He's still not 100% but he's getting there. His complete return to health became even more crucial for the 49ers after the surprising and not-so-surprising retirements of Chris Borland and Patrick Willis. The 49ers need Bowman in the middle of their defense. When healthy he's one of the best linebackers in the game.
Sean Lee, LB, Dallas Cowboys
-Lee always seems to be returning from injuries. When he isn't he's a terrific, play-making linebacker. He's been on the verge of joining Luke Kuechley as one of the best middle linebackers in the league but the injuries keep setting him back. This time it was a torn ACL. The Cowboys got solid middle linebacker play from Rolando McClain in Lee's place last year. McClain's return this year allows Lee to slide to the weak-side. A move that fits Lee's play-making abilities. It might also keep him out of the congestion in the middle of the field and hopefully injury free. Finally.
Kiko Alonso, LB, Philadelphia Eagles
-When Alonso suffered his torn ACL during offseason workouts last year he was a member of the Buffalo Bills. So he returns from a knee injury to a new team and system. He was a 4-3 middle linebacker in Buffalo. Now he's a 3-4 inside linebacker in Philadelphia. It's a crowded linebacker group in Philadelphia but Alonso is one of the most talented young linebackers in the league. He'll fit in nicely with whatever combination of Mychal Kendricks, DeMeco Ryans, Brandon Graham, and Connor Barwin the Eagles decide to put on the field.
Sam Bradford, QB, Philadelphia Eagles
-The Eagles traded for two prominent players that missed all of last season with knee injuries. Alonso and their new quarterback. As with Sean Lee, Bradford has never stayed healthy for very long in all of his time in the NFL. When he has managed to stay healthy he's played well but he's still such a mystery. With the Eagles he enters an offensive system that more closely resembles the system that he played in at Oklahoma. A system in which he won the Heisman and got himself selected #1 in the 2010 NFL Draft.
Victor Cruz, WR, New York Giants
-Before a torn patellar tendon Cruz was Eli Manning's go-to receiver. He was excellent in the role. A deep threat. A game-breaking threat. With Cruz on the sideline the Giants, Manning and the world discovered Odell Beckham Jr. Oh my. With the attention that will most definitely be paid to Beckham this year, Cruz could be running from single coverage like he never has before.
Jadeveon Clowney, LB, Houston Texans
-Clowney is an edge rushing freak. He didn't get to show that last year because he got hurt so early. On a defensive front seven that includes J.J. Watt, Clowney can be downright scary.
Adrian Peterson, RB, Minnesota Vikings
-The only good thing about Peterson missing all but one game of the 2014 NFL season is that it wasn't due to injury. He doesn't have to rehab. There's no question about his health. He'll be his usual beast self. For someone that doesn't need much motivation to get himself worked up into a game day frenzy he'll have a lot of motivation. He'll be playing angry. He'll be playing for redemption. Peterson lining up behind very promising second-year quarterback Teddy Bridgewater has everyone surrounding the Vikings very, very happy.
Here's to a hopeful, happy return for these players and all players returning from difficulties.
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