Safety Ballentine thankful to be back on field after injury

For Texans safety Lonnie Ballentine, the simple act of being around his teammates and running onto the practice field brought a huge smile to his face.

Ballentine was laughing and joking Wednesday as he made his return to practice from a devastating knee injury. He remains on the reservephysically unable to perform list and can be activated at any time. If he’s not activated within the next three weeks, then he’ll remain on the reserve list for the remainder of the season.

“It’s been a grind,” Ballentine said. “I’m a professional, so it’s our job to get back out there. I’m just ready to help the team any way I can. It felt great moving around, running around with my teammates.

“After a full year, I was excited. It’s been a minute. We were all excited.. It means a lot. I really appreciate everyone upstairs for believing in me and giving me a chance.”

A year ago, Ballentine collapsed in a heap and grabbed his left knee against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Ballentine dislocated his knee and tore his medial collateral and posterior cruciate ligaments just as he was starting to hit stride as a hard-hitting safety. He spent the remainder of the season on injured reserve.

An athletic 6-3, 215-pound former seventh-round draft pick out of Memphis, Ballentine has vast potential. However, he has a significant injury history that includes quadriceps and hamstring injuries.

“If you ask me, it’s part of football,” Ballentine said. “Injuries happen.”

Ballentine said he fully expects to play again and added that he’s maintained his impressive speed.

He’s not sure when he’ll be able to return, but it’s regarded as unlikely that the Texans would rush him back for Monday night’s game against the Denver Broncos considering how much time he’s missed.