Erik Ezukanma of Miami Dolphins returns following scary neck injury: 'It was awesome.'

MIAMI GARDENS - It was before the end of the last regular season that Miami Dolphins receiver Erik Ezukanma received the news he believed he would, but feared he wouldn't.

After a scary neck injury, Ezukanma was cleared to play football in the future.

"I knew it wasn't going to be my last time playing," Ezukanma said Tuesday.

It was Ezukanma's second team practice since ruled out due to the neck injury only two games into his second season. He seemed joyful and relieved after the OTA practice.

"I was focusing on my body, knowing that it's a mental game," Ezukanma said of how he used last season. “If your mind's not right, you know, then you can't be yourself. You know, mind over matter."

Ezukanma, a former fourth-round draft pick, is only 24 years old.

Where does Miami Dolphins WR Erik Ezukanma fit?

He knows he's stuck behind Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle and Odell Beckham, Jr.

But who is to say he can't outplay Braxton Berrios, River Cracraft, Malik Washington, Tahj Washington and others this spring and summer, thus securing a roster spot?

"I feel like I'm a versatile receiver," Ezukanma said. "I feel like I can do what a little guy, a little receiver can do, or smaller receiver can do, as well as you know, play big."

Ezukanma is 6-foot-2, 206 pounds and his size and strength add a different dimension.

Could Erik Ezukanma play some RB again?

Before the injury, Ezukanma was even used by coach Mike McDaniel as a running back.

"I feel like with a ball in my hand, that's where I'm most lethal," Ezukanma said. "I feel like I'm an all-around player, versatile. Being in the backfield, getting tosses going downfield, deep shots over the middle, wherever you need me, I can do that."

Ezukanma smiled when asked about what practicing again was like.

"It was awesome," he said. "You know, I'm just ready to get the pads on and really show what I can do."

Joe Schad is a journalist covering the Miami Dolphins and the NFL at The Palm Beach Post. You can reach him at jschad@pbpost.com and follow him on Instagram and on X @schadjoe. Sign up for Joe's free weekly Dolphins Pulse Newsletter. Help support our work by subscribing today.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Erik Ezukanma neck injury does not end Miami Dolphins career