Cleveland Browns running back Kareem Hunt is finally set to get back onto the field after his lengthy layoff. Hunt hasn’t played an NFL game since November of last year after he was released by the Kansas City Chiefs when a video surfaced of him assaulting a woman.

Hunt, who signed with the Browns in February, was suspended eight games by the NFL for violating the league’s personal conduct policy. And during that time, he claims he had the opportunity to think about his situation.

“I've been able to stay on top of things, thinking before you act, and not reacting to little things and just keep your emotions to yourself. … Kinda settled down a little bit more,” Hunt said per Jake Trotter of ESPN.

Hunt also realizes that he is now under much scrutiny following his high-profile transgressions and needs to be on his best behavior if he wants to keep playing in the NFL.

“I'm under a microscope. I'm not trying to put anything in jeopardy,” he said. “I had a lot of time to think about ‘If I get in this situation, how am I going to handle this? If I get in this situation, how am I going to handle that? This happened, how am I going to handle that?'”

There’s no doubt Hunt needs to get his act together in Cleveland. He’s lucky to be getting a second chance, but another misstep could see him shunted out of the league for good. Hopefully, all the time he spent thinking will result in him being on his best behavior with the Browns.