Hess, 28, will captain the Cowboys against the Dolphins in the NRL Pre-Season Challenge in Cairns on Friday night in his first game in 12 months.
A ruptured ACL against Canberra in last year's pre-season rubbed him out of the rest of 2024.
It took the former Queensland powerhouse into the great unknown after he had played 165 NRL matches with just the odd minor niggle.
Cowboys football boss Micheal Luck said the way Hess responded was the measure of the man.
"He had never had a major structural injury until this one. To get to his age and dodge major surgeries is a remarkable achievement in itself," Luck told AAP.
"It was all new to him and he attacked his rehab with a positive attitude, which I think is vital to overcoming a big injury like that.
"He did it in good time and according to plan. Every day last year he came in and did everything the physios asked him to and more. He was back on his feet and on the Alter G (treadmill) pretty quickly."
Hess also did everything he could to contribute off the field with promotional and community work. Such was the positive vibe he provided that the Cowboys utilised him in their run to the finals.
"Late in the year, when we were able to, we took him on away trips just because of the good energy and presence he had around the group," Luck said.
"It is great to have him back full-time and hopefully he goes really well Friday night."
Hess is a member of the Cowboys leadership group and has a huge influence on the way the club operates after emerging as a junior from Bundaberg and Mount Isa before finishing his schooling in Townsville.
"He represents everything we want this club to be about and we are looking forward to seeing how he handles the captaincy," Luck said.
Hess has played six State of Origin games for Queensland. He has lined up in the back-row, prop and even in the centres on occasion throughout his career.
He has continued to grow physically into his 20s and, while a fine athlete, has found a home in the middle in the modern game.
"He's all effort and the things he prides himself on are line speed, kick-pressure, getting back onside fast, running the ball with vigour and pushing up in support when he hasn't got the ball," Luck said.
"They are the things Hessy has done so well over the last three or four years."
Such is the regard the Cowboys have for Hess that they re-signed him until the end of 2027 in May last year, three months after he had sustained the ACL tear.
"There was no hesitation from us to re-sign him," Luck said.
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