Murray Wood: Who's scary... and who's scary good?
Every Friday, Murray Wood takes a look at the week's news and decides who's hot... and who's not. This week, in a specia...
Tommy Stevens is back for the Saskatchewan Roughriders’ playoff run.
The short-yardage quarterback suffered a knee injury on Sept. 27 in a 27-25 loss to the Edmonton Elks.
“It makes for some lonely days when you’re not outside with the guys and just in there doing your rehab and whatnot. It definitely feels good to be back,” the 28-year-old said. “I’m not exactly sure (how I got hurt), I never dealt with anything like it before. It was just a regular plant and I got hurt. I didn’t really know it at the time and played through the rest of the game and didn’t think it was anything too bad. Ended up getting a scan and it said otherwise.”
Stevens has been back on the practice field this week as the team enjoys what is being called a “Bonus week” as the CFL club won’t play until the West Final on Nov. 8. The Riders will play the winner of the West semifinal, which will take place between the Calgary Stampeders and B.C. Lions on Nov. 1.
So with the clock ticking towards a win-or-go-home situation, Stevens is glad to be back on the field.
“If it was going to happen, I’m glad it happened when it did. I would’ve loved to have been a part of those wins to end the season but at the end of the day, this is why we do it. This is what we planned on and the goals we set at the beginning of the year,” Stevens said. “Glad that it wasn’t anything more significant and I can be a part of it.”
As the weather gets colder in the province, Stevens is embracing the chill.
“It’s an awesome time of year. I get excited when I think about it being cold and the game slows down a little bit,” Stevens said. “I think bigger guys, for the most part, become a bit more difficult to tackle.”
Riders head coach Corey Mace, who was named the West Division’s Coach of the Year, is also glad to have the quarterback back on the field.
“He’s certainly a crucial weapon for us. Honestly, just a great guy to have in the locker room and activated,” Mace said. “I think everyone has so much faith in what he is able to do so it’s a big bonus.”
Stevens was one of several names fans were hoping to see back on the field from the injury list. Defensive back Marcus Sayles is also back on the field this week but wide receivers KeeSean Johnson and Dohnte Meyers along with defensive back Rolan Milligan Jr. and defensive end Shane Ray, still haven’t returned to the field.
Mace believes that as the team returns to practice next week, even more players could be back on the field.
“We just wanted to be smart with them and give them as much time to make sure they are OK to get out there physically,” Mace said.
