MANKATO, Minn. -- The back injury that kept Minnesota Vikings center John Sullivan from playing last season prompted two surgeries.He couldnt touch his toes or put on his shoes for two months after the second operation in late October. He was only able to hold his infant son if his wife handed him over.He was forced to watch the games at home on television, unable to influence any of the developments that unfolded in front of him on the screen.Sullivans desire to resume his career, though, was never deterred, even if he wondered if his body would ever return to playing shape.I knew that if I recovered there was no question in my mind that I was going to come back and play this year, said Sullivan, who has started his ninth NFL season.Because I dont think Im putting the rest of my life at risk any more than I would be if I was coming off a healthy year, you know what I mean? Look, its an inherently dangerous job to a certain extent, although there are much more dangerous jobs out there, and Im very fortunate to be able to play.My body feels good. Im not being told by my body that its time to stop. So Im going to come out and keep doing what I enjoy.Joe Berger shined at center in his absence, but that doesnt mean Sullivan wasnt missed by the Vikings offense, particularly quarterback Teddy Bridgewater in terms of identifying the defenses alignment before the snap to set the protection plans.Its not good that Sullivan missed last season, coach Mike Zimmer said, but it was good that Teddy had to take this all upon himself last year.Drafted in the sixth round out of Notre Dame in 2008, Sullivan cracked the lineup in his second season and started 96 of a possible 99 games, including the playoffs until last year.Sullivan had a lumbar microdisectomy procedure done five days before the season opener to repair a herniated disc, but his progress was waylaid in mid-October when he aggravated the injury while weightlifting. He missed out on the fun of the teams first NFC North title since 2009.Youre happy, but at the same time you want to be a part of it. You feel left out, said Sullivan, whose black beard is now speckled with gray. He added: It was a frustrating year to say the least from a personal standpoint.Sullivan said he felt fully recovered by the spring, working out in the weight room with no major restrictions and running normally in conditioning drills. There were no apprehensions, he said, on the field during practice.Not for one second did I think about my back, the entire time, said Sullivan, whose contract expires after the 2017 season.He has never been picked for a Pro Bowl, but Sullivan was considered one of the best at his position around the league before his injury.Set to turn 31 next week, Sullivan has returned with no guarantee of re-establishing that status. He has been working mostly with the first-team offense, but Zimmer and new offensive line coach Tony Sparano have worked Berger and right tackle T.J. Clemmings in the starting lineup on alternate days for Sullivan and Andre Smith.I dont think I need to prove anything. I mean, its my ninth year in the NFL. Ive proved plenty, Sullivan said.What this is now is Im here because I want to work hard. Im here because I like this team. I think I have plenty of great football left in me, and I want to go out and win some games.---Online:AP NFL website: http://www.pro32.ap.org and AP NFL Twitter feed: http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL Juan Bernat Jersey . - Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco is not a fan of his teams use of the wildcat formation, saying "it makes you look like a high school offence. David Alaba Jersey . Despite the cost, effort and an improved steroid test, its possible that very few -- if any -- positives will be detected, Dr. Richard Budgett told The Associated Press in an interview. "We just dont know what the results from Torino will be," Budgett said. http://www.fcmunichpro.com/Kids-Rafinha-Jersey/ . Goals from Jerome Boateng, Franck Ribery and Thomas Mueller extended Bayerns unbeaten run to a record 37 matches. "This record is incredible," Bayern coach Pep Guardiola said. Niklas Sule Jersey . - Levi Browns tenure at left tackle for the Pittsburgh Steelers is over before it even began. Manuel Neuer Jersey . -- Running backs Darren McFadden and Rashad Jennings were back at practice for the Oakland Raiders on Wednesday despite being hampered by hamstring injuries. ALAMEDA, Calif. --?Raiders owner Mark Davis reaffirmed to ESPN.com on Saturday that he plans to play the next two seasons at the Oakland Coliseum, even if the team gets the green light from the NFL to move to Las Vegas.We want to bring a Super Bowl championship back to the Bay Area, Davis told ESPN.com.Davis and the Raiders have the financing plan in place for a $1.9 billion stadium to be built in Las Vegas after the Nevada state legislature on Friday approved a tax plan to raise $750 million toward the project.Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval is expected to sign the bill Monday, and Davis is expected to be in attendance in Las Vegas. Davis then will travel to Houston for the NFL fall meetings on Tuesday and Wednesday to give the league an update on the Raiders stadium progress, as will the Los Angeles Rams and San Diego Chargers.The Raiders then would officially ask for permission to relocate to southern Nevada at the league meeetings in January.ddddddddddddThey would need 24 of the 32 NFL owners to vote in favor of the move.?And that is why Davis wants to assure the other owners and Raiders fans and restate his plan for the team to play in Oakland in 2017 and 18, while the Las Vegas stadium would be under construction. The Raiders already have one-year options for the Coliseum for both of those seasons.A day earlier, Davis put out a statement in the wake of the Nevada tax plan being approved.I would like to thank Governor Sandoval, the Southern Nevada Tourism Infrastructure Committee, and the members of the Nevada Legislature on this historic day, Davis said. All parties have worked extremely hard to develop and approve this tremendous stadium project that will serve as a proud new home for the entire Raider Nation. Cheap Jerseys China NFL Jerseys China NFL Jerseys Wholesale Discount Basketball Jerseys Cheap NHL Jerseys Authentic Cheap Baseball Jerseys Free Shipping Cheapest College Jerseys Sale Cheap Football Jerseys China Nike NFL Jerseys Canada Wholesale NHL Jerseys From China MLB Jerseys Outlet Canada Wholesale NBA Jerseys Canada Store Cheap Soccer Jerseys China Cheap Authentic Jerseys Canada ' ' '