Will Jason Verrett follow in Keenan Allen’s footsteps and win Comeback Player of Year?

Fans should expect big things from Chargers cornerback Jason Verrett.

Jason Verrett is finally 100 percent healthy.

Man, that feels good to say. And you know Verrett loves this feeling. The 2014 first-round pick out of TCU has unable to stay on the field, missing 39 games in his four-year career. Last year, he missed all but one game after undergoing a second surgery on his injured knee, one that he’s dealt with since Week 3 of the 2016 season.

Verrett was recently cleared for 11-on-11 play when the Chargers took the field for mandatory minicamp. And according to ESPN’s Eric D. Williams, Verrett is confident that he’ll be able to bounce back in 2018.

“It’s just something that I had to deal with. I hate that I had to have the injuries that I had, but it’s going to be special when I bounce back this year.”

The Chargers have incredible depth at the cornerback position. Casey Hayward, Trevor Williams and Desmond King all finished in the top 20 at their position, according to Pro Football Focus. With Verrett on the active roster, the Chargers have another Pro Bowler ready to make an impact. Verrett will most likely start opposite Hayward, so it’ll be interesting to see how much playing time Williams and King will get with Verrett back in the lineup.

Verrett always had the talent. In his short time, many have agreed that he’s already one of the best corners in the game.

If he remains healthy, I can see him following in the footsteps of fellow teammate Keenan Allen. Allen, who has also dealt with a ton of injuries since being drafted in the third round of the 2013 draft, bounced back in a big way last year after missing all but one game the season before due to a torn ACL (same injury as Verrett’s). Allen immediately reclaimed No. 1 receiver duties and played all 16 games for the first time in his career. He finished with career highs in receptions (102) and receiving yards (1,393) while being named NFL Comeback Player of the Year.

Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers won the same award in 2013. Rivers wasn’t coming off injury but instead a poor season the year prior, a year in which he failed to throw for over 4,000 yards and tossed 15 interceptions.

Verrett is in the final year of his contract and will look to prove his worth. And with a little health luck on his side, Verrett could be a frontrunner for the award this season.