Locos safety returns from knee injury

Officially, Nick Turnbull owns two United Football League championship rings. But he feels like he earned only one.

The Locomotives' 6-foot-2-inch, 222-pound strong safety was knocked out in the first quarter of the first game last season when he collided with teammate C.J. Wallace while trying to break up a pass against Florida. Turnbull shredded the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee, and his season was done almost before it started.

The Locos went on to repeat as champions, and Turnbull got a second ring.

"That was the toughest thing I've ever went through," he said. "I tore an abdominal muscle a few years before when I was with the (Atlanta) Falcons. But to not be able to help the team defend the title last year, that was really hard. I tried to be like an extra assistant coach and talk to the guys. But it wasn't the same."

Thanks to a dedicated rehabilitation stint, Turnbull is back on the field and has reclaimed his starting spot in the Locos' secondary. He'll be at strong safety on Saturday when Las Vegas opens its 2011 season at Sacramento to begin pursuit of its third straight UFL championship.

"I feel like I was never hurt," said Turnbull, who has a 5-inch scar on his knee as a souvenir. "I wanted to make sure when I came back, I was 100 percent. I didn't want to wear a brace. I wanted to be my old self."

Within five months of his injury, Turnbull pronounced himself ready to return. The fact the UFL pushed its season back a month because of financial concerns didn't hurt, either, giving him more time to prepare.

"I really missed being out there," said Turnbull, who had 31 tackles and three interceptions in the inaugural UFL season in 2009, including a pick in the title game against Florida. "But I knew I would be back. The injury really motivated me. I'd start my rehab at 8 in the morning and wouldn't leave until after 5. That was my job -- to get healthy."

Locos coach Jim Fassel said that having Turnbull return is like bringing in an all-pro player.

"We missed him in so many ways last year," Fassel said. "His smartness. His toughness. His ability to make plays in the secondary. But when we lost him, it gave Lewis Baker a chance to step up for us, and he did a great job. Now, with Nick back, we're even deeper (at safety)."

Fassel said having a player with Turnbull's NFL experience -- including with the Chicago Bears in their Super Bowl loss to Indianapolis in 2007 -- creates instant respect from teammates.

"He sets a high standard for a lot of people," Fassel said. "Guys see how hard Nick plays, and they follow his lead. He's been a big part of our success. Even when he was hurt, he was around the guys, helping them on the sidelines and at practice. But I'm thrilled to have him back on the field for us."

And Turnbull is equally thrilled to be back.

"I love being part of this team," he said. "Everyone here is so committed to winning. And I'm really motivated to win another championship this year to make up for the one I couldn't be a part of last year."

Contact reporter Steve Carp at scarp@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2913. Follow him on Twitter: @stevecarprj.