Lions' Stephen Tulloch planning to participate in OTAs

Continuing to work his way back from a torn ACL suffered in Week 3 of the 2014 regular season, it appears Detroit Lions linebacker Stephen Tulloch could be able to rejoin his teammates for on-field work fairly early on this offseason.

Tulloch recently spoke to ESPN's Michael Rothstein about his on-going recovery, both indicating that he plans to participate in organized team activities later this month and sharing his excitement for the season ahead.

"Man, it's exciting," Tulloch said." I'm excited about it. It's a blessing to be able to bounce back the way that I have and to be able to feel as good as I feel to be able to get out there, run around and do my thing."

Tulloch suffered his season-ending knee injury in just about the most unconventional way imaginable, celebrating a sack of Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

After the injury forced him to miss game action for the first time in his nine-year career, the 30-year-old remains focused on not having to experience that feeling again.

"Something I never want to go through again in my life. Something I never want to have to deal with (again) in my life."

With the Lions having lost two of their top front-seven players this offseason, defensive tackles Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley, Tulloch's healthy return will play a key role in the defense's chances of maintaining its status as one of the league's most productive units.