INGLEWOOD, Calif. -- Los Angeles Chargers safety Derwin James Jr. was so amped to put on his cleats and get a first shot at the field at SoFi Stadium he nearly pranced his way out of the locker room for warm-ups.
No room for nerves.
"I'm excited," he said. "You can see I'm excited. I'm not nervous. I trust the preparation."
That says a lot considering James tore the meniscus in his right knee on Aug. 31, 2020, missing the entire season following surgery and extensive -- and often lonely -- physical therapy.