Ranking The Top 10 NFL Comeback Players of the Year by Erik Lambert 3h ago 
While the MVP, Coach of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year awards may hold more prestige amongst NFL fans, it can be argued there is no more inspiring honor than NFL Comeback Player of the Year. It, unlike the others, teaches one of the vital lessons not only of football but life in general. If you work hard enough and never give up, you can overcome any challenge you face. Several players have carried on that tradition in 2015. So which of them are in position to win the honor and who has the best chance?#10: Geno Atkins, DT, Cincinnati BengalsBackground: Entering the 2014 season, Geno Atkins was recovering from a torn ACL that ended his previous season. This after he dominated 2012 with 12.5 sacks. It became clear he wasn’t himself as the defensive tackle failed to generate his usual interior pressure, collecting just three sacks in 16 games. That led some to wonder if the knee injury had taken something from him.The Comeback: Turns out it was just a question of patience. Atkins has regained much of his old form in 2015. He leads all defensive tackles in the NFL with six sacks through eight games. He’s on pace to threaten his career-high mark from three seasons ago and remains the catalyst for one of the best defenses in football.#9: Michael Crabtree, WR, Oakland RaidersBackground: Once considered the next great receiver in San Francisco 49ers history, things began to unravel for Michael Crabtree following his breakout season in 2012 (85 catches, 1,105 yards, 9 TDs). An injury knocked him out of 2013 after just five games and he wasn’t the same dangerous threat fans remembered when he returned the next season. Some felt he’d reached his peak.The Comeback: Clearly they were mistaken. Determined to prove his doubters wrong, Crabtree signed a one-year deal with the Oakland Raiders and has made the most of it. Using the attention Amari Cooper has garnered, he has carved out a niche in the passing attack as a key possession target. His 47 catches for 591 yards and five TDs have him on pace to actually surpass what he did during the 49ers Super Bowl run.#8: Adrian Peterson, RB, Minnesota VikingsBackground: This may not quite end up being his astounding return from that knee injury suffered four years ago but Adrian Peterson is once again the midst of a season where many wondered how much he’d lost after a long layoff. Suspended from the league following allegations of child abuse. He played one game in 2014. Some wondered if he’d even play at all coming into this season.The Comeback: Safe to say the Minnesota Vikings were wise to hang onto him. After a slow start to the season he has come on strong. So far he’s posted 758 yards rushing, 125 receiving and four touchdowns, averaging 4.5 per carry. Maybe not the Herculean numbers he had three years ago, but pretty impressive for a 30-year old at that position.#7: Doug Martin, RB, Tampa Bay BuccaneersBackground: It didn’t take long for Doug Martin to show what he could do. As a rookie he took the league by storm, piling up 1,454 yards rushing, 472 receiving and 12 touchdowns. There was no doubt he was destined for a great career in the NFL. Then over the next two seasons he became plagued by constant coaching changes and injuries. He suffered a torn labrum in 2013 and didn’t return until after five games into 2014. His future with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers didn’t look bright.The Comeback: In spite of it all, Martin kept grinding. After brief thoughts that he would be released, benched or traded he has once again become a primary engine for the Bucs offense. His 643 rushing yards, 148 receiving and four touchdowns have him on pace for a possible second Pro Bowl season. He’s currently tied for a fifth in the NFL in rushing.#6: Walter Thurmond, S, Philadelphia EaglesBackground: This guy has been through it all. In 2011 he was lost for the year to a broken fibula and then only played two games in 2012. A year later he was suspended a month for violating substance abuse policy but returning in time to help the Seattle Seahawks win their first Super Bowl. He used that success to become a coveted free agent, signed with the Giants and promptly tore his pectoral. Inevitably questions began to arise about whether he had the durability for pro football.The Comeback: What makes his comeback all the more impressive is that when he signed with the Philadelphia Eagles, it wasn’t as a cornerback. They wanted to move him to safety alongside Malcolm Jenkins in order to improve the coverage on the back end of their defense. It’s a decision that has become a win-win for both sides. Thurmond has racked up 36 tackles and three interceptions thus far without missing a game.#5: Carson Palmer, QB, Arizona CardinalsBackground: It seems so unfair when looking back at the career of Carson Palmer. Every time he seems to be capturing the form of a Pro Bowl quarterback, something goes wrong. The knee injury in 2005. The bad elbow in 2008. Being traded to Oakland and then to Arizona. At last he seemed to have found himself again last year and what happens? Re-tears his ACL again. What could really be expected out of him at age 35 going into 2015?The Comeback: Perhaps the best season of his career as it turns out. Palmer is playing inspired football. He has 2,386 yards passing with 20 touchdowns and just six interceptions for a 110.2 quarterback rating. The Cardinals are 6-2 at the halfway point and in command of the NFC West division. If this trend holds he will finish with career-bests in every category.#4: Sean Lee, OLB, Dallas CowboysBackground: Nobody has ever questioned the intelligence, leadership and desire of linebacker Sean Lee. Anybody who watched him can see clear evidence of all three. The problem was and remains his health issues. It started from his rookie season and has continued year after year.2011: Dislocated wrist2012: Toe2013: Torn ACL2014: Torn ACLThis season it has been about concussion problems. The guy just can’t seem to catch a break in the health department.The Comeback: In spite of it all though he has fought to stay on the field in 2015. He’s played all eight games, amassing 66 tackles, a sack, an interception and three passes defended. His leadership has turned the Cowboys defense into one of the most active in the NFL. If he can find a way to stay on the field, the award would be his for the taking.#3: Eric Berry, S, Kansas City ChiefsBackground: Isn’t this an obvious choice? Few will forget how things went down for Pro Bowl Kansas City Chiefs safety Eric Berry. Diagnosed with lymphoma in 2014, he was forced to cut his year short in order to battle cancer. As with such sicknesses, many feared he may never play a down of football again in his life. Never mind be the same player.The Comeback: Not only did Berry return for the 2015 season, but it was as if he never left. He went right back to commanding the top of that Chiefs defense and is making plays again. He’s posted 31 tackles, an interception and four passes defended in eight games. Considering how long he took off and how little training he could do during the cancer battle, that’s a remarkable show of willpower.#2: Chris Johnson, RB, Arizona CardinalsBackground: At one point in time, Chris Johnson was one of the two or three best running backs in football with the kind of homerun ability coaches dreamed of and opponents feared. Steadily though, between 2011 and 2014 questions began to arise. First it was about Johnsons’ commitment to the game and then about his health. Some wondered if he’d lost a step, especially after a one-and-done year in New York where he was a backup.The Comeback: Nobody expected him to be back in 2015. So it was a surprise when the Arizona Cardinals signed him and it’s becoming easy to see why they did. Under a top coaching staff and surrounded by good players, CJ2K has been resurrected. He has 676 yards rushing on the season, averaging 4.8 per carry and scored three touchdowns. Of all people, the 30-year old has become the one to open up that dormant Cardinals ground game.#1: NaVorro Bowman, ILB, San Francisco 49ersBackground: It still produces a cringe effect. Every time the replay is shown of NaVorro Bowman badly injuring his knee against the Seattle Seahawks in the 2013 NFC championship, some wondering if the guy would ever be the same player if and when he ever return. Sitting out the entire 2014 season didn’t offer any encouragement either.The Comeback: It wasn’t the same 49ers defense he was returning to either. So many of his former teammates like Patrick Willis, Justin Smith and Aldon Smith had either retired or left for free agency. How did Bowman respond? By setting a pace for himself that would set a career high for tackles (88 in eight games) along with two sacks. He has embraced the role as leader on this new 49ers defense. Only special players can comeback from devastating injuries even better than before. It’s clear now that Bowman is indeed special.link
