Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Derrick Johnson has revealed that he is relishing his return to action in the 2015 season.
The 32-year-old missed the majority of the 2014 campaign when he tore his Achilles in the second game of the season.
Johnson has made strides in his recovery in the off-season and is now eagerly anticipating the start of training camp at the end of the month.
"I can't wait until training camp," Johnson told the club's official website. "You know what, I missed a lot of football last year and I'm itching to get back.
"I'm a defensive guy and we're running around in shorts and shirts, that's not real football. Sometimes the offense is clapping when [they] catch a ball over the middle, and I'm like 'come on man, I would have got them on that one.'
"But OTAs is a good time for the offense to not be getting hit, to actually see some looks, get some passes and get some confidence going.Because when we get to training camp, there will be a lot more hitting."
Johnson has recorded 874 tackles, 22.5 sacks and 11 interceptions in his 10-year career.