Chad Marshall returns to full training for first time since neck injury

Chad Marshall was a full participant in Friday's Seattle Sounders practice for the first time since a neck injury during training a few weeks ago that, at the time, seemed rather serious. Sigi Schmid noted that even though Marshall went through standard head injury protocol that's usually associated with concussions, the concern was less about a concussion and more about the player's history of neck injuries.

Marshall said he's improved every day since he hit the ground awkwardly, and that he was feeling good about being back in training. He praised the trainers and coaching staff in how they eased him back into practice this week, saying that his transition went "seamlessly."

Even though Marshall was back in full practice, he admitted that he's still not back to full fitness just yet. He practiced extra when possible this week, but also recognized that the travel and Texas heat could mean he's less likely to feature against the Dynamo on Sunday.

Regarding his injury, Marshall said that he took a knock, "I had fallen one way and got hit the other way, and felt a little crunch in my neck and immediately felt some pain." Marshall admits that the ambulance might have been "overkill" but that you never want to take a head or neck injury like that lightly. The player feared the worst when he had scans done at the hospital, but he was cleared and released the same day.

Despite his long career in MLS, Marshall said that he'd never experienced an incident in training that required an ambulance to be called, saying that he's "happy to check that off the list."