Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller was never quite the same player when he came back from his one-game absence due to thumb surgery. He accumulated one sack over the final four games of the season to finish with 11.5 sacks as a rookie, well behind fellow rookie Aldon Smith's 14. Wearing a cast on one's hand will do that, and Miller wasn't going to have the cast removed until his season ended. Saturday's loss to the New England Patriots sped up Miller's timetable for the removal.
Got my thumb back! Had the pins taken out this morn, and my thumb feels great ready to grind this offseason. I will be a totally dif player!
— Von Miller (@MillerLite40) January 17, 2012
Miller, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft, was named to the 2012 AFC Pro Bowl roster and all indications right now are that he will join Champ Bailey and Elvis Dumervil there for the game on Sunday, Jan. 29.
With Von Miller and Elvis Dumervil establishing an excellent pass rush in 2011, the Broncos can only hope for bigger and better success.
For more on Miller, visit Broncos blog Mile High Report. Head over to SB Nation NFL for more news and notes around the league.