National Football League

Marcus Stroud plans to play in 2012

Published Mar. 29, 2012 1:00 a.m. ET

Alex Marvez

A three-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle is hoping to make an NFL comeback.

Appearing on Sirius XM NFL Radio, Marcus Stroud told me and co-host Jim Miller that he plans to play in 2012 after sitting out last season while recovering from shoulder surgery.

Stroud, who turns 34 in June, signed with New England in the 2011 offseason but was released last July before the start of training camp. Because of the NFL player lockout, Stroud was prohibited from rehabbing his surgically-repaired shoulder at Patriots headquarters. Stroud said he then suffered a staph infection, which led to additional surgery.

Stroud said he is currently “60 percent” recovered but plans on being completely healthy by June. After enduring the wear and tear of 10 NFL seasons, Stroud is seeking to play as part of a defensive line rotation and knows he would be used primarily as a run-stuffer.

Stroud and John Henderson formed one of the NFL’s most dominating defensive tackle combinations in Jacksonville as teammates from 2002 to 2007. After reaching three Pro Bowls in that span, the 6-foot-6, 310-pound Stroud was traded to Buffalo during the 2008 offseason following a contract dispute. Stroud started 45 of 48 games for the Bills until his release following the 2010 season.