Chiefs halfback Priest Holmes said Wednesday that he is as optimistic as he's ever been about the upcoming season and his comeback from last season's hip injury.

"I'm excited to be back on my feet again running," Holmes said on WHB-AM Wednesday. "The reason I'm still excited is that just four months ago I was on crutches."

Holmes, who spent an hour on the Kansas City radio station, said that he's been running for two months and he's even been pulling a tractor to build up the strength in the legs and see how the hip responds to stretching. He expects a full recovery from the injury.

"I've always looked doubt in the eye and have always come back," Holmes said.

Holmes missed the final two regular-season games last year after suffering a deep hip bruise. Holmes said that he felt that he could have done damage to his career had he played those games.

As it turned out, Holmes began training after the season with hopes of reducing the swelling and pain around the injury. As hard as he worked out, Holmes didn't feel right. He compared training to trying to go up a ladder.

"I wasn't going up, I was standing in place," Holmes said.

MRIs of the hip did not show any problem, but he kept going to doctors when the hip didn't feel better. During the offseason, Holmes visited four doctors, including a hip specialist. Eventually in March, they found some loose bodies around the joint, which required what was considered minor arthroscopic surgery.

Holmes said he felt as soon as he had the surgery that he was going to be fine. Unfortunately, because the scope had to go through muscle to remove the loose bodies, Holmes had to stay in crutches for four weeks.

"I knew the surgery was successful immediately," Holmes said. "Right after, I was on the bike full speed."

Holmes told fantasy fans that he would make himself the No. 1 choice in any fantasy draft because he is so optimistic about his comeback.

John Clayton is a senior writer for ESPN.com.