Denvr_Sports_Insider's Blog

Bronco rookie Offensive Tackle Ryan Harris tells Fox 31’s Josina Anderson Tuesday that, “I’m going to practice tomorrow for the 1st time since before the San Francisco trip.”

The third round pick out of Notre Dame underwent a laminectomy procedure August 15th to alleviate pinch nerves from the spinal cord after suffering through increasing lower back and leg pain during training camp. But after plenty of rehab, Harris now tells Anderson he is good to go.

“I’m good enough to play,” said Harris!  “It’s been an interesting road!”  "It’s not the way I wanted to start my career.”

Harris has a history of back problems. Coming into his senior season playing for Notre Dame, Harris underwent back surgery to repair a herniated disk. Harris however healed in time to return for the start of his final season and subsequently started in all 13 of his games. Despite the fact that his laminectomy raises a new area of concern in his back, Harris is encouraged by the fact that he’s better, and more educated on how to stay that way!

“I just know that my back is a part of me that has wear and tear, and I have to take care of myself.”  "That’s all the veterans have been saying since I got here, take care of your body; and the doctors are so good here!”  "I just thank God that they didn’t put me on the I.R., and that I have a chance to prove myself.”  "I just want to prove myself to my teammates!”

Harris tells Anderson though he is not sure whether he will play this Sunday against the Colts.

“I don’t know what the coaches have in mind!”

But Harris says that he would rather play now, rather than work his way back into it slowly.

“I would rather a baptism by fire!”  “I have been standing on the sidelines the last 2 weeks!”

Certainly Harris is eager to make his debut on the game field as a Bronco. Matter of fact, Harris has been feeling extra good because he was finally well enough to leave his home to see the movie Resident Evil. So perhaps now Mike Shanahan will take advantage of his high spirits and play Harris against the reigning Super bowl champions.

 NOTES:

Harris tells Anderson that the crew from the MTV series ‘True Life’ came to film him as scheduled this summer around the time of his laminectomy. Harris says that the filming should air in October.  Harris was featured on ‘True Life’ while playing for Notre Dame.