Denver Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton had an emotional reaction the first time he was able to wear cleats and jog since suffering an ACL tear that he sustained in September of last year. Occurring in Week 2 of the NFL season, Sutton's injury not only knocked him out for the remainder of the season but was the first time in his three-year professional career that he missed playing time.
Despite the severity of the injury, the wideout is focusing on his recovery and the possibility that it holds for him to return to the field:
“It was such a surreal moment,” Sutton told Ryan O’Halloran of The Denver Post. “I stood there, looked at my cleats, looked at the grass and just took in the moment. The last time I had cleats on was the day I got hurt.
“To jog like I did, 50 yards down and back, it was humbling and puts everything into perspective of how precious the day-to-day things are, like waking up and walking, like getting out of bed and your knee isn’t hurting, like being able to go up and down the stairs. It makes you appreciate all those little things even more.”
Drafted in the second round by Denver out of Southern Methodist University, Sutton had been one of the lone bright spots in the Broncos' passing attack that has stuttered since Peyton Manning's retirement. In his sophomore season alone, the receiver collected 72 catches and over 1,000 yards receiving on his way to the Pro Bowl, and status as the number one option in the Mile High City.
Since it is unlikely, the Broncos will offer Sutton a contract extension before the 2021 season due to his injury concerns; the wideout will have to prove himself once again. Considering that he is glad to walk without crippling pain, it's just as likely that contract negotiations are far from his mind.
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