ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- Linebacker Von Miller remembers tearing his anterior cruciate ligament very clearly.
"We were in a 30-front," Miller said. "I had a tight end outside of me. I still tried to stay firm outside and the tight end came out and he chipped me on my left side. I put my right leg down and my right leg just like buckled. It all happened so quick. It didn't really hurt that day. I did all the stuff and it just felt funny."
The next day he got an MRI and Head Athletic Trainer Steve Antonopulos told him he tore his ACL. That was in December and Miller is now making strides in rehabilitating during OTAs.
Miller is working with trainers with the hope of being ready for the season. He is participating in individual drills and he said his knee isn't swelling when he works out.
"I'm just grinding," Miller said. "Whatever it is on my sheet to do every day, I try to knock it out. I try to knock it out like if it was 100 percent. Greek [Antonopulos] does this all the time. He's a pro at it."
Miller has never had an injury like this before and this recovery process is "uncharted" but he said he feels good about his progress. He said his knee feels great and that he is "anxious to work and contribute this year."
When coming off an injury, athletes often have a hard time because they want to push themselves more than they should. He said Antonopulos is helping him stay on track. He said he is mapping out the days and accomplish new goals every day.
"Von is still working hard, you know, with the trainers and the rehab and trying to work his way back on the field," said Defensive Coordinator Jack Del Rio. "He's doing a good job from that standpoint. He's very engaged in our meetings. He's another one of the veteran guys that's trying to step up a little more in a leadership role. Speaking up and letting the guys understand what it takes to play at a high level. So that's been very good for us."
Von Miller's confidence has helped him through many struggles, especially during a trying 2013 season. As he recovers from his injury, that confidence has not wavered.
"You definitely question a lot of stuff [when you're injured] and you have to dig deep and realize what really makes you go," Miller said. "For me it was just being able to have the opportunity to play football and have the opportunity to be the best and that's what gets me going."
