When Stephen Tulloch suffered a season-ending knee injury in Week 3 last year, he lost his title as the NFL's reigning defensive ironman — he had played 131 consecutive games to start his career.
Since tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee, Tulloch hardly has wanted to discuss the injury that cost him 13 games in a season he started with 20 tackles and two sacks over his first nine quarters.
"It's old," Tulloch said last weekend when asked about why he rolls his eyes to questions about the injury.
For years, Tulloch prepared himself to be available week in and week out.