Running Back LaRod Stephens-Howling tore his ACL during the season opener versus the Tennessee Titans. Since then, we haven’t heard much about LSH. This week, he spoke with his local newspaper about his injury, and his plan for the future.

Stephens-Howling says that his recovery has been ahead of schedule during the entire rehab process. “I’ve been feeling great. The rehabbing is going great…I’ve been ahead of schedule. I feel pretty strong.”, he told the Tribune-Democrat. When asked about the time-table for his return, he said, “I feel like I’m real close to being 100 percent. They’re saying definitely by February.” That’s great news for the former Pitt running back, but very early on the recovery calendar- only 4 1/2 months after his injury.

“One of my trainers told me my strength is back to where it needs to be to start playing football again and it hasn’t even been five months.”

He said he worked diligently with a machine at home until he was out of crutches. On top of being at the Steelers facility all week, he goes to the gym and does extra work with a trainer.  He credits that combination to the speed of his recovery.

When Stephens-Howling is cleared by doctors, he’ll be a free agent, at which time he hopes the Steelers will have a place for him. He said that his main goal right now is to be ready by summer.