I'll be back.
Just hours before the Bears placed yet another player (Pernell McPhee) on injured reserve, Pro Bowl offensive lineman Kyle Long took to Twitter to share with fans his crazy injury history.
He also channeled his inner Arnold as he vowed to return:
https://twitter.com/Ky1eLong/status/943333731171028994
It all started when Long Tweeted out a photo of him giving the thumbs-up from a hospital bed with a neck brace on Tuesday night. He just finished surgery on his neck:
Crushed surgery today. Important procedure that will lead to much relief And success. Great doctors @NorthShoreWeb šš pic.twitter.com/4N5sTLmKpg
ā Kyle (@Ky1eLong) December 20, 2017
From there, Long explained his lenghty injury history over the last two years that has limited him to just 17 games.
He missed only one game his first three years in the NFL.
For people wondering about all my injuries; Iām gonna lay out a timeline for you and it will hopefully help paint a picture of what has transpired the last few years
ā Kyle (@Ky1eLong) December 20, 2017
First three years I played every game except for one or two. I switched positions to help team in third year (also wanted a challenge) learned a lot about OL switching positions
ā Kyle (@Ky1eLong) December 20, 2017
Fourth year, back to guard... healthy, dominant and improving on a daily basis. Tore my labrum in preseason. Opted to play the year and be there for my team - plan was to fix after season
ā Kyle (@Ky1eLong) December 20, 2017
Late in the fourth year I got rolled up in the pile and mangled my ankle. Surgery and rehab needed... no time for shoulder.
ā Kyle (@Ky1eLong) December 20, 2017
Fifth year coming in I was no where near 100% and I did what I could to play and help our young team. As year went on (as a result of shoulder) things happened in proximity of shoulder that were unfortunate. Neck became an issue.
ā Kyle (@Ky1eLong) December 20, 2017
Now is time for me to fix myself. Wanted you guys to hear it from me. Iām very excited about what the future holds for this team, and Iām jacked up about being healthy again
ā Kyle (@Ky1eLong) December 20, 2017
And again, thank you all for the support it means the world to me and my family
ā Kyle (@Ky1eLong) December 20, 2017
Long admitted what we've known for a few months: He was never 100 percent throughout the 2017 season.
But now he has plenty of time to rest up and heal his neck, ankle and shoulder and return to the Bears fully healthy and ready for the next stage in the rebuild.