Houston Texans linebacker Brian Cushing has said that he feels like his old self again after battling a series of injuries.
The 28-year-old sustained a torn ACL in the 2012 season, while a broken fibula and an LCL injury ruled him out for the majority of the 2013 campaign.
Cushing managed to return to the field in the 2014 season, but struggled to find his best form in the middle of Houston's defense, although he has admitted that he now feels ready to return to his peak for the new campaign.
"I'm moving like my old self, I'm feeling like my old self," Cushing told reporters. "I'm not worried about my knee or other injuries or needing any slack or anything really holding me back. It's awesome.
"I've been through a lot of ups and downs. When you love the game this much, nothing is going to stop you. I'm well on my way. It's been a lot of hard work and a lot of tough times. I'm a better person for everything I've been through. We'll see how the season goes."
Cushing has recorded 473 tackles, 12 sacks and eight interceptions in his six-year NFL career.