Kiko Alonso has admitted that he did not expect to be able to do as much as he has been at this point in the Philadelphia Eagles' organised team activities.
The linebacker, who moved to the NFC East side in a trade with the Buffalo Bills earlier this year, missed the 2014 campaign after tearing his ACL in pre-season, but has been able to work out without wearing a brace this week.
The 24-year-old, who was named the pro-football writers' defensive rookie of the year in 2013, told the Philadelphia Inquirer: "I honestly didn't think I'd be doing this much. I've just been going on how I feel, and it's feeling really good. I feel comfortable without [the brace]. I never really liked wearing [it].
"I knew what to expect, but I definitely thought I'd be more in shape, but I was wrong. I remember when I was in Buffalo, I was like I can't imagine going against the Eagles and that pace. Because if you don't practise like that and you go, it's brutal."
Alonso made 159 tackles, two sacks and four interceptions in his rookie season in the NFL.
Sian Cowper
