It’s so hard when you get placed on the nine-game injury list. That’s half the season and all those plans that you had for the season and all the work that you put in during the off-season . . . everything just changes in an instant.

The truth is, the team has to move on in that situation. So now when you come back, it’s like you’re new to the team again. You’ve got to adapt to a new role. It’s tough but I look forward to getting back on the field and to working as hard as I can no matter what I’m called on to do. I think that’s just what being a professional is all about.

My goal was to get back on the field as quickly as possible because there’s always the chance that you can get pulled off the nine-game list early. In my mind, I had to push myself to get as healthy as fast as I could just to keep that drive and to keep that hunger to play. When I first got injured, I wanted to start jogging as quickly as I could. I wanted to start catching the call as quickly as I could and start practising and start running routes. I was always trying to push myself in my recovery.

It’s been a long wait and I look forward to getting back out there.

When you’re out of the lineup, it’s difficult no matter how the team is doing. As excited as I am for the guys when we’re doing well, part of me wishes I was in the mix. And when things aren’t going so well, it’s really frustrating because you want to contribute and you’re not able to.

That being said, there’s still ways you can help out even when you’re not able to play. There’s younger guys on the team and hopefully I can offer some of my experience to them and give them some pointers about things I see out there and just encourage them. When you’re injured, that’s part of the role you have to accept.

While I was out, Brad Sinopoli took over the job as the holder on kicks and he’s doing a great job. A real good job. It’s a pretty tense position. People expect it to get done right every time, and it should be. But in your mind as the holder, it can be pretty nerve-wracking. Brad seems like a cool cat when he’s about to go out there and you know, I’m proud of him for taking on that role and doing a good job of it.

On Saturday, we’re going up against Saskatchewan and it’s always a dogfight. It’s always hard-hitting but it’s also a lot of fun. It seems Saskatchewan is every team’s No. 1 rival because, for some reason, they’ve got fans everywhere.

No matter wgar, you know it’s going to be a good game when you face the Riders and we look forward to Saturday.

Arjei Franklin, #87
>> Franklin bio