NFL Comeback Player of the Year candidates for 2015

Returning from a knee injury, Atkins didn't look quite right last season with only three sacks. He's made a full recovery this year, tallying 10 sacks in 15 games.

The Chiefs didn't expect Berry to return this season after he was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma late last season. Not only did Berry make it back for the start of the season, but he's arguably having his best season ever. Berry was named to his fourth Pro Bowl, with 55 tackles and two picks through 15 games.

Bowman suffered one of the ugliest knee injuries in recent memory during the 2013 playoffs, causing him to miss all of last season. He's rebounded to be the centerpiece of San Francisco's defense again, with over 100 tackles in 15 games.

Returning from two torn ACLs, Bradford has gone 6-7 through 13 games as Philadelphia's starting quarterback. He's struggled to move the offense at times but has reached 3,000 passing yards for the third time.

A great fit for Bill Belichick's defense, Chung has had a strong year with 48 tackles and one forced fumbled through 15 games after a hit-and-miss 2014 season.

Struggling through knee injuries in consecutive years, Crabtree went to Oakland to revitalize his career. He's done just that, with 82 receptions for 888 yards and eight scores through 15 games.

Cutler looked lost in Marc Trestman's offense last season, and the new coaching staff gave him a halfhearted commitment for this year. He's responded with one of his best season, with 19/8 TD/INT and 7.4 yards per attempt in 14 games started.

An elbow injury suffered early in 2014 caused Eifert to miss most of the year, but he's come back to shine this year with 48 receptions for 564 yards and 12 touchdowns in 12 games.

What a difference a quarterback can make. Fitzgerald was on a three-year drought, failing to reach 1,000 yards receiving. He's become elite again this season, with 103 receptions for 1,160 yards and eight scores through 15 games.

The news Hardy has made off the field over the last year hasn't been savory, but he's performed well for the Cowboys on the field. In 11 games, he's tallied six sacks.

Incognito was out of football last season after the Dolphins' bullying fiasco but was given a chance to rehab his career in Buffalo. He's responded as one of the NFL's best guards and was named as a Pro Bowl alternate.

This has been the first year Ivory has been a starter from day one, and he's run with the opportunity. The shifty back has 989 rushing yards and seven rushing scores in 14 games.

Johnson was relegated to backup duty with the Jets last seaso, and struggled to find a job this year after taking a bullet to the shoulder during the offseason. He emerged as Arizona's starting back, rushing for 814 yards in 11 games before fracturing his leg.

Johnson was snubbed from an initial Pro Bowl selection, but that doesn't take away from what a great year he's had returning from a torn Achilles'. He's been everywhere for Kansas City's defense, with 87 tackles, four sacks and two interceptions through 15 games.

Jones returned to Green Bay after getting cut by two other teams to have a strong year, with 46 receptions for 788 yards and eight scores through 15 games. He's been a great red zone target with Jordy Nelson sidelined.

Lee has had a terrible time staying healthy during his NFL career, missing all of 2014 with a torn ACL. He's rebounded this season for 76 tackles in 14 games.

Injuries have been a common theme in Lewis' career, but he made New England's offense one of the best in the game early in the year. He had 36 receptions and 622 yards from scrimmage in seven games before getting hurt again.

Marshall struggled last season with the Bears, with his lowest yardage total since his rookie season and time missed to injuries at the end of the year. After getting traded to the Jets, Marshall has responded as a No. 1 wideout again. He's gained 1,376 receiving yards and 13 scores through 15 games.

Martin was spectacular back in 2012, his rookie season, but has fought through injuries in consecutive years. The Bucs drafted Charles Sims last year, thinking Martin wouldn't be able to rebound. They were apparently wrong, as Martin has rushed for more than 1,354 yards through 15 games as one of the league's best backs.

The Honey Badger has been arguably the league's top cornerback up until tearing his ACL in Week 15. After struggling to return from a knee injury last season, Mathieu had five picks and 80 tackles in 14 games.

A flashy back early in his career with Oakland, McFadden has had trouble staying healthy for much of his career. Dallas signed him as a complementary back in the offseason after three straight years of sub-4.0 yards per carry. He's responded with 4.4 yards per career 997 yards rushing in 15 games behind Dallas' vaunted offensive line.

Orakpo has quietly revitalized his career in Tennessee after only one half sack in seven games last season. Through 15 games, he has seven sacks.

We know where Arizona would be without Palmer, as we only have to look at how the team fared last season without him. The Cardinals went 6-0 with Palmer under center last season, and they started 12-2 this year with a healthy Palmer. He's had perhaps his best year, with 8.9 yards per pass attempt and a league-leading QBR through 15 games.

AP sat out 15 games last season while dealing with his off-field issues but has returned at age 30 without losing a step. Peterson rushed for 1,418 yards through 15 games and has helped the Vikings be in the thick of the NFC North race.

Peterson struggled with his weight and play last season before discovering that he was diabetic. He's had a full rebound this season and has no longer been the target of opposing offenses.