As recently as two months ago, New Orleans Saints running back Tim Hightower was out of football, just as he had been for the previous four years. He was finally signed back to an active NFL roster on November 2, after Khiry Robinson went on injured reserve.

Hightower rarely saw the field during his first few weeks with the Saints, serving as the third back behind Mark Ingram and C.J. Spiller. When Ingram went down for the year with a shoulder injury a few weeks ago, though, Hightower was thrust into the starting lineup and immediately asked to carry the load in the Saints' backfield.

He's now recorded 68 carries over the last three weeks, and on Sunday against the Jaguars, he had what might have been the best game of his career: 27 carries for 122 yards and 2 touchdowns, plus 3 catches for another 47 yards.

It was the third-most receiving yards (121 against the 49ers and 57 against the Panthers, both as a member of the Cardinals in 2009) he ever had in a game, the second-most rushing yards (148 against Denver in 2010), and the most total yards.

Hightower released the following statement on Twitter on Monday morning about the journey he's been on these last four years that brought him to this point:

The full text reads as follows:

"I couldn't sleep last night..... Just so humbled and thankful for everything. This has been a true journey that has tested me in every way and I love it and I am thankful for it. I needed every lesson, every bit of courage, strength, wisdom and resolve..... I needed forgiveness, love for myself and my family, love for God.... I needed faith beyond anything I ever could have seen physically.... I'm just amazed at how blessed I am and how good God has been to me..... To have a positive impact on my family, community and so many I love means more to me than any accolade or dollar amount. I'm so glad I didn't give up..... I can't imagine what life would be like if I had to wonder what if.....

It's a pretty amazing journey that Hightower has been on and to have it result in Sunday's performance must have felt incredible for him.

Tim Hightower's comeback has been a smashing success. (USATSI)