Derrick Barnes used to joke with Alex Anzalone, "Man, I won't miss football when I retire," especially all the running and lifting that comes with it. "And then something like this happens," Barnes said, "and I miss it all. So it feels good to be back."
"Being away is just not for me," he said.
Barnes was back in the Lions' building Wednesday for the first time since suffering a significant knee injury in their week 3 win over the Cardinals. He's ready to start more rigorous rehab after doing the initial stages of physical therapy at his alma mater Purdue, while he was still on crutches and in a brace.
"I told myself when I get off of those two, then I’ll be back. So yeah, now I’m back for good," said Barnes.
There's still no clear timetable for Barnes' return. The Lions' starting SAM linebacker, who will be a free agent after this season, said he's taking it "one day at a time" when asked if he could make it back this year. He did say that "I have those thoughts in my mind." He was able to ride the bike Wednesday, which he took as a pleasant surprise, and did some walking in water. He said that "pretty soon, I'll be ahead of schedule."
"My legs were super stiff," said Barnes. "Today was the first day I felt kind of normal."
Barnes was off to a strong start to the season prior to his injury, which came on a cut block by Cardinals tight end Trey McBride. It's a controversial play in the NFL that Barnes said "should be banned" from the game.
"The offense gets a lot of leeway, more than a defense," he said. "It's football, though. I never sit there and complain about it. I do the hitting and then when I get hit, something like this happens. Nah, I don't really agree with the play, but like I said, it is football, it does happen. You know, I would never wish that upon nobody."
The Lions have also lost Aidan Hutchinson and Marcus Davenport from their front seven, among other key injuries, and have still won seven in a row. They lead the NFC at 8-1. Watching the team thrive has only heightened Barnes' desire to get back on the field.
"A hundred percent," he said. "Those guys out there balling, man, it's amazing to see. Especially last week against the Texans, I was telling a few of my guys, people texting me like, 'I don't know about this game.' Halftime. And I just leave 'em on read. And right when the game was over, I went right back to talking s**t, texting everybody back.
"But no, it's been fun. I think probably the game days is the most days where I feel down. I'm like, 'Man, I really wish I was there.' But it brings me joy to see what this team is accomplishing."