In Riderville, Durant is raring to go after having missed so much time the last two seasons.


Durant knows all about comebacks. He went through a similar scenario a year ago after missing the final nine games of the 2014 season (including one playoff contest) with a torn tendon in his right elbow.Durant made it through a mini-camp and training camp in 2015 before rupturing an Achilles tendon against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. That experience inspired Durant in 2016.
“It’s tough initially,” said Durant, 33. “As time passes, you realize that you have to attack the road ahead of you. That was my motivation and just knowing that I was getting another opportunity. I needed to take it upon myself and to make sure that I put myself in the best position possible. It was tough, but it was something that I’ve been through and hopefully I can make it through again.”
On Sunday, Durant didn’t appear to suffer any ill effects from surgery to repair his damaged Achilles. He rolled out with confidence during all the drills and delivered the ball with velocity.
Durant looked and sounded like his old self throughout the morning session. He has made so many strides since the injury that he didn’t think about it Sunday.
“This is a game of reactions and you can’t think about the what-ifs and you have to just react,” Durant said. “Hopefully your body holds up. I did a great job this off-season of putting stress on my legs and things like that to make sure they can hold up in these situations.”
Chris Jones, the Riders’ general manager and head coach, was pleased with what he saw out of Durant.
“When he steps on the field, he makes everyone on this football team play better,” Jones said. “He’s an awful tough competitor and we’ve gone against each before. He’s one of those special guys.”
Receiver Rob Bagg, who is heading into his ninth season with the Riders, was impressed after Durant’s first practice.
“He definitely looks a little bit leaner and more athletic,” Bagg said. “He threw the ball around and maybe missed some throws that he normally hits. I don’t think he’s thrown to a lot of receivers in a while. All things considered, he did very well.”
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