Larry Fitzgerald is back at Arizona Cardinals practice after a bout with COVID-19.
The 37-year-old wide receiver opened up on Thursday about a difficult couple of weeks that included weight loss and dark thoughts.
Fitzgerald tested positive on Thanksgiving and started feeling symptoms two days later. He quarantined for 13 days, and it took a physical and mental toll.
“I got my estate planning all done up again, I revised my will,” Fitzgerald said, per azcardinals.com. “I did a lot of stuff. When you're sitting at home and you're watching how many people are dying every day, you really kind of reevaluate things. It makes you appreciate the health that you have.”
Taste, smell, appetite all suffered
Fitzgerald said he lost his sense of taste and smell as well as his appetite. He lost 9 pounds during the ordeal.
Career Stats for WR Larry Fitzgerald. YEAR TEAM G REC YDS AVG LNG TD 1st 1st% 20+ 40+ 2004 Arizona Cardinals. Larry Fitzgerald, 37 years old, is a supporting actor nowadays in the Cardinals’ star-studded cast of offensive players. He has 43 catches for 336 yards — a N’Keal Harry-like 7.8 yards per.
“Your mind kind of wanders,” Fitzgerald continued. “You're sitting at home, and you're watching TV, and you see the cases, and you see the deaths across the nation, and all these things are running through your mind. You worry. Fortunately, I was able to get through it.
“I feel much better. I still can't taste or smell anything but that's much better than what a lot of people are dealing with.”
© Provided by Yahoo! Sports Larry Fitzgerald opened up about a difficult couple of weeks that included weight loss and dark thoughts. (Joe Maiorana/Reuters)Fitzgerald might play on Sunday
Despite the illness, Fitzgerald told reporters he feels “the best I ever felt” during a season. The 11-time Pro Bowler missed games against the New England Patriots and Los Angeles Rams, but could play against the New York Giants on Sunday.
He did light workouts during his illness that included running and using his exercise bike. He practiced on Wednesday with the hope of getting back into game condition in time for Sunday.
'I hope I'll be able to play,' Fitzgerald said.
Fitzgerald is in his 17th season with the Cardinals and has been one of the game’s most durable players in addition to being one of its best. He has never missed more than three games in a single season.
His health — not football — was his focus during his illness.
'It was more the immediate future like staying alive and things of that nature,” Fitzgerald said. “Football and how long I'll play football didn't really cross my mind.'
More from Yahoo Sports:
With the Arizona Cardinals’ season officially over after an 18-7 loss to the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, the speculation officially begins about the future of legendary receiver Larry Fitzgerald.
He did not play in the season finale, out with a groin injury and now it is time to wonder whether he has played in his final NFL game.
After the game, defensive line coach Brentson Buckner tweeted what appeared to be breaking the news of Fitzgerald’s retirement.
Fitzgerald has said nothing and typically takes a few weeks to make his decision.
Buckner later clarified the tweet, saying he intended to say if it his final ride, then it is goodbye.
This isn’t the first time a tweet after the season has fueled speculation. His own father has done it.
It wouldn’t be surprising if he retired. His role in the offense was decreased. He had his lowest production in his career with 54 receptions. He played through a groin injury in Week 16 and missed Week 17. He contracted COVID-19 and missed two games.
If it is the end of his illustrious career, then it is a shame the Cardinals couldn’t make it to the postseason.
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