Austin Collie willing to sign waiver to play in NFL again

Free agent wide receiver Austin Collie is working out at St. Vincent Sports Performance in Indianapolis, rehabbing his patella tendon injury. According to Mike Garafolo of USA Today, Collie says his knee is feeling "phenomenal" and believes it's even stronger than it was before the injury.

However, there's another injury concern that has teams shying away from the former Indianapolis Colt, and that is his lengthy concussion history. He's not letting that slow him down, though, willing to risk long-term damage to continue his NFL career. "I'll sign a waiver, all right?" he said. "They're not going to have to worry about me suing. I'll hold myself to be accountable."

Collie has three concussions on the record dating back to November 2010. He was carted off the field on a stretcher after getting sandwiched by two Philadelphia Eagles defenders. Two weeks later, he left a game early with lingering symptoms, and in December a hit by Jaguars linebacker Daryl Smith gave him another concussion, ending his season.

In 2012, Collie suffered his third concussion in the preseason, missing the first game of the regular season. In his first game back, he tore his right patella tendon, ending the season with only one reception. The Colts decided not to re-sign him.

Collie has the support of his family, and he intends to play football again. "I just need that closure. When I feel like I accomplish everything I want to accomplish, I'll have no problem walking away from the game. But I have more to give." It remains to be seen if any NFL team will give him a chance this year, but he has to prove his knee is healthy first. He's not expected to be 100 percent before the regular season starts.

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