Sean Lee has revealed that he has still not been cleared to return to full-contact action after injuring his neck.
The Dallas Cowboys linebacker tore a ligament in his neck in December that forced him to miss the team's final three games of the 2013 season.
The 27-year-old told ESPN: "I'm working all the neck exercises. I think it was just having time to heal, allowing that ligament to heal, and it takes a certain amount of time. I think we're on the path to where it's pretty much there.
"I don't need surgery, which is a positive. But I didn't play at the end of the year at a very critical time, and it's been two years in a row, and I need to be out there. There's no excuse for it. I've got to find a way to stay on the football field.
"I need to find a way to stay healthy, whether it's finding a way to be stronger and not having the hamstring deal or it's hopefully having a little bit better luck. I need a combination of both going forward."
Lee has missed 18 games in his first four seasons in the NFL through injury.
Sian Cowper
