"I just appreciate the game a little more, knowing I could be out there playing."

Farley, to a degree, shared that appreciation with the public on social media. He posted on Twitter three photos -- one of him laying on the Fargodome turf with his father looking at him, another where he's taken off the field on a cart and a third. That shot showed Jake Farley on both feet and wearing purple and white.

"1 year later, and I thank God everyday I'm back playin' the game I love,'' wrote Jake Farley.

One man knows very well that Jake Farley has every reason to be thankful.

"He's playing well and he's playing healthy," said Mark Farley. "He got really lucky. He got lucky. He's back to play this season and in time to play the whole season."

Injuries. In this day and age, we discuss them almost casually. This guy has an ACL, that one has a high ankle sprain. Thanks to the advances in sports medicine and training, it almost seems like an athlete can just say the word "rehab" and that's it. Welcome back.