Su'a Cravens: 'My Choice' on NFL Return After Traumatic Effects from Concussion

Denver Broncos safety Su'a Cravens missed the 2017 season after suffering a concussion as a rookie in 2016 but explained he understands the risk that comes with playing the sport and returning to the field.

"Football is a violent sport and it can be scary but I know what I'm signing up for," he said when discussing his decision to play again in 2018, per Mike Klis of 9News in Denver.

"I think we all do. I'm well aware of my situation and this is my decision to continue to play," he continued. "I'm not going to second-guess my decision to go out there and play. I'm planning on making plays and being the same physical player I've always been and I'll live with the consequences because this is my choice to do so. Every man, every woman, they have a choice they can make. This is my choice."

Klis noted Washington traded Cravens—who it selected in the second round of the 2016 NFL draft out of USC—to the Broncos this offseason "in a complicated trade that resulted in Washington receiving the equivalent of the draft pick between the end of the fourth round/beginning of the fifth, according to NFL value charts."

Cravens talked in extended detail about what he went through with his post-concussion syndrome when he was not on the field:

"I was going through some personal issues with my family and I didn't feel like myself. I did tell my teammates I was going to retire but I never officially retired.

"The Redskins brought me in, they told me they wanted me to get checked out, make sure I was all right. I go to a doctor and he tells me I'm going through something I didn't even know I was going through. He said this is the reason why you feel this way and you're in no condition to be making these decisions because of this and I guarantee if you rehab and get yourself better, you won't be feeling this way.

"Once I got cleared in December, it was like I was a completely different person. Looking back at myself I'm thinking, that's crazy. I thought I was just messed up but come to find out, I was going through something I wasn't even aware of."

When healthy, Cravens' versatility stands out because he can play safety on passing downs and patrol the middle of the field against wide receivers or tight ends while also filling in as a hybrid linebacker and capable pass-rusher.

He notched 10.5 sacks in his final two collegiate seasons and has the speed to pursue running backs as well.

Cravens played 11 games as a rookie for Washington and finished with 34 combined tackles, one sack and one interception.

There are natural concerns about his health after he missed the 2017 campaign with the post-concussion issues, but he is just 22 years old and demonstrated his vast potential during his rookie season and as a member of the Trojans.

He now joins a Broncos defense looking to lead a turnaround after going 5-11 in 2017, the first time the franchise finished with a sub-.500 mark since the 2010 season.