Hobbling around the NovaCare Complex on crutches, safety Earl Wolff spoke to reporters on Monday and said he underwent microfracture surgery on Friday to repair a knee that has been bothering him since the 2013 season.

A fifth-round draft pick last April, Wolff played in 11 games, with six starts, before he went on Injured Reserve with his knee injury that just didn't come around. Wolff said he felt much better throughout Training Camp and when the season began, but he was inactive for the Week 3 game against Washington because of the knee.

Wolff played in seven games, with one start (Houston), and recorded three tackles this season. His knee just did not feel consistently good to allow him to display his full ability, and he sought a second opinion and ultimately had the microfracture surgery last week.

"I had my good days and my bad days, and at the end of the day we felt my best chance to recover fully was to have surgery," Wolff said. "We got it done and I'm going to be ready for next season. Doc said I will be full speed by the end of April or the beginning of May."

Dr. James Andrews performed the surgery after providing a second opinion and an exploratory scope on Wolff's knee. Wolff said the microfracture surgery isn't "as severe" as a typical microfracture injury, in which a piece of cartilage is missing.

In this case, Wolff said he had some holes drilled in the right knee and it drained some blood to allow for the healing of "a couple of little spots," said Wolff.

"(Andrews) said, 'I'm really sure,' that I'll be OK once it heals. I'll be back to full speed and I'll be as explosive as I was before," Wolff said. "I'm looking forward, staying positive, staying optimistic."