Josiah Deguara, who plays for the Green Bay Packers, opened up about the mental and physical health struggles that he faced while recovering from a torn anterior cruciate ligament, according to US media reports.

“I think the mental side of rehab is downplayed a lot”, he said in a statement on Thursday. The American football player, who is now 24 years old, added, “Obviously you’re grinding every day and every day physically trying to get your knee right, but the mental side of being hurt, not being able to play the game, not being around the team as much, it takes a toll on you for sure”, according to reports from news agency Associated Press.

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Deguara, who is a tight end for the Green Bay Packers, explained that not only did he form a close bond with David Bakhtiari, who also plays for the Green Bay Packers and carried out the tackle in December last year against Deguara, but also received huge support from his family, friends and faith.

“There are mental hurdles like I stated throughout the whole process, and trusting your knee and remembering what happened and just getting back on the field and not thinking about it is a big step in the process,” Deguara said.

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“So getting out there in practice, I’m not thinking about it at all. I feel like I used to feel and I’m just happy to be back out there”, according to reports from news agency Associated Press.

Now he is back on the practice field and eager to showcase the versatility that helped him contribute immediately last year before injuries wrecked his rookie season.

Matt LaFleur, the coach for the Green Bay Packers also appreciated the recovery made by Deguara. He said that it seems the 24-year-old had picked up from where he left.