The Insider.com

Jonathan Penner, Michael Skupin, and Russell Swan return to Survivor for the upcoming season, but they revealed the advantages of having another go at the competition didn't necessarily help them in the long run.

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"The second time around offers a significant advantage, but the bulls eye is as significant a disadvantage," said Michael, who explained that, as a veteran, "We're already five steps into the game," while the new players were enjoying the scenery and getting over the shock of being on television.

"The problem is that you cannot fly under the radar," Jonathan added. "They knew that we had already taken shots at a million bucks and that we were the biggest obstacles in the way for them to get a million bucks."

All three players are making comebacks after leaving their first seasons prematurely due to injury. Jonathan suffered an infection, Michael's hands were badly burned and Russell experienced extreme dehydration.

Russell admitted that his health scare caused a "little hesitation" in agreeing return to the competition.

"The first time it almost killed me," said Russell. "I had to really kind of think through that whole issue of 'Do I want to go back and have the game finish me off?' Because that was in the realm of possibility."

While Michael still vividly recalls his horrific accident, he expressed that he is beyond grateful just to have the use his hands, let alone the opportunity to complete the game.

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"To be able to finish the adventure that we started ... it's almost indescribable," said Michael.

The 25th installment of Survivor premieres tonight at 8/7c on CBS.