Brandon Marshall Says He Barely Remembers 3-TD Game in '14 Due to Painkillers

New York Jets wide receiver Brandon Marshall dominated the San Francisco 49ers as a member of the Chicago Bears in Week 2 of the 2014 season but hardly remembers it. 

Marshall hauled in five catches for 48 yards and three touchdowns in the first-ever game at Levi's Stadium, but he told reporters in a conference call Wednesday the pain pills he took to bounce back from a high ankle sprain impacted his memory, via Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com:

"

I don't really remember much about that game because I worked really hard to get back from a high ankle [sprain].

I'll say it: I took a couple pain pills that masked the pain. I really wasn't supposed to play. I came back from a high ankle [sprain] within 10 days. I was supposed to be out four to six weeks. I don't remember much from that game. I just remember catching those balls. And that was pretty much it.

"

The Bears won that game, 28-20, and Marshall proceeded to play 13 contests for Chicago that season. He didn't miss any action until December, although he struggled in the following game after the 49ers contest with just one catch for six yards in a 27-19 victory over the New York Jets.

Wagoner noted Marshall's reflection on his lack of memory comes at a time when pain management has become a topic of conversation in the NFL. Wagoner pointed to offensive lineman Eugene Monroe—who announced his retirement this offseason—as someone who has advocated for the benefits of marijuana in terms of managing pain.

Still, the NFL has held firm in its stance players cannot use marijuana despite increasing support of its use across the nation. Wagoner did point out the NFL Players' Association will explore the various uses of it and its potential as a pain reliever.

"That is something I actually want to research more this offseason when I have time," Marshall said of using marijuana for pain, per Wagoner.

The discussion about marijuana and the NFL is often focused on its ability to help players manage physical health like Marshall's high ankle sprain in 2014, but Marshall is also someone who will likely focus discussions on mental health if he becomes involved in that research.

The receiver is a candidate for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award because of his work in the mental health community that includes Project 375, an organization he co-founded, per NFL.com.

Marshall has donated money, spoken at schools and spread awareness for the cause and even wore special cleats in New York's most recent game, per NFL on ESPN:

The receiver will play in Levi's Stadium for the first time since that three-touchdown game in 2014 on Sunday when the Jets visit the 49ers.