Chris Johnson was signed by the Arizona Cardinals on August 17, but Johnson's road to back to a NFL roster began much before then.
Johnson's road to the Cardinals roster began in early March when he was shot in the shoulder.
The shooting left Johnson and another member of his party injured. The third member in their car was killed.
Those events will make Johnson's game Sunday much more meaningful than any other opening day.
"It's kind of a surreal moment, because when that situation first happened, I thought that was going to be my last time playing football. To be able to work back and be able to be playing and to be able to run back out there on Sunday will be good," said Johnson
Johnson worked extremely hard this off season to get back into football shape, and to earn his shot with the Cardinals.
The work was anything but easy, especially since Johnson wasn't sure he'd play football again.
"It was a lot of nights crying myself to sleep and all that," said the running back.
But now here we are, Johnson is set to take the field Sunday against the New Orleans Saints.
His role is yet to be defined but Cardinals fans are sure excited to see what he can bring to their offense.
All Johnson's been through has given him a new love for the game.
"It makes you appreciate it more," said Johnson. "Coming to camp was like a fresh start for me."
Tonight after the game, watch Coop's Scoop for his take on the action – only in the app. Download it here:
