Drew Tate, who’s recovered from a forearm injury, spoke to the media on Sunday following the Stampeders’ first practice after bye week.

On his physical condition

I feel great. I feel a lot better than I have. It’s great to be back and see the guys . . . I’m just excited to get going.

On being able to throw again

It felt great to throw today, it really did. I got some treatment over the bye week and was doing a little bit of throwing through the bye week. I’m just trying not to do too much and come back gradually to be ready for game time and just go with it.

On the mental and physical benefits of the bye week

Yeah, it was huge — not only for me but for a lot of guys who were banged up. I’m a big believer that time off makes you appreciate your time on.  Already talking to a lot of guys, they were really excited to get back. It was a short bye week, but a good one.

On the importance of pacing yourself now that practice has resumed

I think so, in the case that I play or something like that, I don’t want to be burned out by that game day. I just want to take it day by day and study the game plan. It’s going to be fun to study against these guys because they’re so good on defence and they give us so many different looks. We just have to have a good week at practice. 

On whether he feels pressure because of the play of the other two QBs in his absence

Oh no, you just approach it the same way. You know, we’re a very fortunate team to have what we have on our roster, not only at the quarterback position but at all positions. I really believe that. As far as me, nothing changes, I just have to study my butt off, be accountable to my teammates, and be ready to go. 

Did you have any fun on the bye week?

No, I was here till Wednesday, went to Dallas on Wednesday and got back yesterday. The whole time I was in Dallas, it was just treatment after treatment. And it was hot down there, man. During the day, I never saw it below 100 (Fahrenheit) and at night, it never got below 95. I went to an SMU practice yesterday and I don’t know how those kids run in around in that heat. They probably don’t know any better.