It was one practice.
But for a guy who spent three months in a coma, it was a pretty big deal.
Cowboys defensive tackle Amobi Okoye went through yesterday’s practice, signaling the start of a three-week window to work before the Cowboys have to decide to activate him or leave him on the reserve/non-football injury list.
“It was good, it was worth it,” Okoye said, via Calvin Watkins of ESPNDallas.com. “It was mixed emotions. It felt like it naturally was coming back. I’ve played six years in the league [and], it doesn’t take too long for stuff to come back to you.”
Okoye is recovering from anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis, a brain condition which causes memory loss and seizures. He last played in a game in 2012, and lost 78 pounds during his battle.
He said he’d talk more about his condition during the bye week in November, but he’s impressed his teammates with the work he’s already put in.
“He’s been through a lot,” linebacker Bruce Carter said. “His story is amazing. A guy like that who works real hard, I see him all the time working [with strength and conditioning coordinator Mike Woicik] one-on-one. Just to see him actually working with [us] and see it pay off is a great thing. I think he’s going to do great things for us.”
There’s still no guarantee Okoye will play this year. But after what he’s been through, simply getting through a practice is a big first step.