Long's back

Myles Simmons

http://www.stlouisrams.com/news-and-events/article-practicereport/Practice-Report-1118-Austins-Homecoming-Long-Returns-to-Practice/89291588-0e2f-4399-a3fe-3a95edd0a6b8

LONG’S BACK AT PRACTICE

It’s been another trying year for defensive end Chris Long, who has been out the last four weeks since suffering a knee injury against the Packers. But the veteran is now a full participant in practice, after going through a limited session at the end of last week. He was listed as doubtful on the injury report heading into the matchup against Chicago, but admitted Wednesday that may have been a bit unrealistic.

“That was probably more hopeful than I was realistically close,” Long said. “I appreciate coaches kind of saying, ‘Hey man, let’s be smart and wait one more week. Let this thing completely heal.’ And when I’m back, I’m back. I’ll be close to 100 percent. That’s all I can ask for.”

But with this being the second straight year Long has had to miss games, it’s been a bit of a frustrating process.

“I’m not the first guy to get hurt, injured. It’s out of your control. But when you’re hurt, you feel like you’re letting people down,” Long said. “You’re watching your buddies play football, and that’s your job. You don’t feel like you’re doing your job.

“Especially two years in a row, it’s frustrating because there have been things that you just can’t avoid,” Long continued. “They’re freak things and I’m going to keep pushing to try to help this team, and do my part. I’m just excited to be back and help this team.”

If there’s a silver lining to Long’s injury this time around, it’s that there was no ligament damage to the knee so he did not have to undergo surgery.

“The bone just had to heal,” Long said. “It’s a fracture, so it’s not like something that when you’re back, you’re dragging around.”

Long lamented how he didn’t feel like himself when he got back to playing the Rams’ final five contests in 2014.

“So when I’m back, I’m back,” Long said. “And I’m really excited to help the team however I can. I’ve just missed being out there.”

“When you’re staring the prognosis down in the face, you’re like, man, it’s going to take forever,” Long added. “And then you’re out there like that. So we’ve got at least seven weeks of football left — at least — and I can’t wait to keep playing.”