Vikings' Loadholt Ready To Make Up For Lost Time
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Phil Loadholt is back where he wants to be -- practicing football with his team, the Vikings.
"I feel good. Feeling 100 percent healthy, doing everything with the team. So it's just good to be back, competing with the guys," Loadholt said.
He lost last season before the season. A preseason injury turned it into a season of reflection and understanding what he had lost.
"I really just learned how much I truly do love the game. I had some more time to spend with my family, but I love the game," he said. "You don't get to play it forever, so to have the opportunity again is special."
He's got some advice from a fellow Sooner who has had to come back from injury -- Adrian Peterson.
"The hardest thing for me when I was coming back from the injury was I was ready to roll, I was ready," said Peterson. "But mentally, that pull can really get you. Am I really ready? Can I do this? Can I not do that?"
So far so good, but that's a limited evaluation.
"Phil has worked into doing everything, so I think he's doing good," said head coach Mike Zimmer.
But more than anything the big guy just wants to play some football, because he knows how precious NFL time is.
"Most people don't get to play that long, so to have another opportunity is great," Loadholt said.
