ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — Second-year safety Quinton Carter said Monday that the right hamstring he popped at the Denver Broncos’ indoor practice bubble last month was a blessing because it led doctors to discover he needed a left knee operation.

Carter made his first appearance at training camp since getting hurt July 27 and said afterward he hopes to return to the field by next week so he can play in the Broncos’ third preseason game, against San Francisco on Aug. 26.

In his first public comments since undergoing knee surgery, Carter told The Associated Press he hurt his left knee in a game against New England on Dec. 18 but MRIs hid the injury until last month, when he hurt his right hamstring and doctors took another look at his bothersome left knee.