A torn biceps wiped out Matt Elam's 2015 campaign before it even began. And a knee injury in August threatened to do the same thing for the Ravens strong safety's 2016 season.
But for the first time since undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery, Elam practiced Tuesday. It is not clear how much work he did as the team is not required to produce an injury report during the bye week, but just being back on the field was an achievement for Elam.
"I just feel good to be back out there with my teammates again and to be able to just run again," he said. "It's been a whole two months not doing anything. It felt very good just to be there. After missing a year, I mean, I'm just happy that I have the opportunity to do it again."
Elam, a first-round darft pick in 2013, is also appreciative that the team did not place him on season-ending injured reserve. Had that occurred, Elam would not have been able to make an impression on the franchise in the final year of his rookie contract.
"That means a lot," he said. "That means they believe in me a little bit, and it means a lot for me, giving me a little confidence and things like that. It's a great feeling. I'm happy to have the opportunity and I'm thankful for it. I'm just trying to take advantage of the opportunity I have."
A consensus All-American at Florida, Elam underwhelmed in his first two seasons, with just one interception, a half-sack and 127 tackles. Midway through the 2014 campaign, he was benched.
Defensive coordinator Dean Pees said the coaches liked what they saw from Elam before his knee injury in August.
"Really, we thought this spring that he was playing really, really well and moving very well," Pees said. "So really, the only thing that we need to see – and he knows it – is now take it to the field in live action. But based on everything that he did on the field and getting himself ready both physically and mentally, he did what he was supposed to do. We just got to hope that we're back there again, and we'll see when he takes it to the field."
As much as he would have preferred avoiding the spate of injuries, Elam said the time off has been beneficial for his learning curve.
"I feel like I learned a lot from the game, just sitting back from the sideline view and looking a different view of it," he said. "It makes you take it even more serious. Just learning a lot taking a step back and knowing what's part of the game. Injuries are part of the game, and you have to take a step back and you have to stay strong-minded. That's what it's going to take."