Miami Dolphins left tackle Branden Albert is just eight months removed from tearing both his ACL and MCL, but he's on track to be healthy for the regular season opener in September. He isn't fully healthy just yet, but starting training camp with his name left off of the physically unable to perform list is a good start. As for the rehab process over the past eight months, it was rough.
"At the beginning was the most challenging," Albert said to ESPN.com. "Learning how to walk, learning how to do simply things I've been doing all my life. I told people I didn't think I was going to play football again. Now, the time is here and I'm happy to be here."
It's never a good sign when a player doesn't think he'll ever take the field again, but Albert battled through the adversity to come back strong. He's an important piece of the Dolphins' offense and is expected to be the starting left tackle -- arguably the most important position next to quarterback. He's happy to be involved with the team and not just working on his own.
"I'm involved with the team. I'm not off on the side no more like a stepchild," Albert said. "I'm happy I'm in the situation that I'm in. I feel blessed. It's been a long, long road."
Albert will continue to work with the goal of starting Week 1 fully healthy. Just eight months since the injury, that's an impressive feat.
(h/t ESPN)
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