MISSISSAUGA – Like most professional athletes, Cory Boyd can think of few things more frustrating than watching his team from afar, especially when the bounces do not seem to be going their way.
The all-star running back from a year ago took to the practice field for the first time in over three weeks on Monday. He’s trying to inch further from the sidelines and closer to the Argos’ backfield to reclaim his spot as the club’s go-to threat on offence.
“Anytime you are on the sideline watching, and you are not with your teammates going to battle, it is frustrating,” Boyd said Monday following practice.
To The Locker Room
“I have to bring my joy back to this team. I’ve been down recently but I realized that I can keep spirits up off the field, and if I get a chance to play this week then I’m going to play my role on the field to try and get us back on track.”
– Running Back Cory Boyd
After picking up where he left off the 2010 season when he rushed for 100 yards and a touchdown in the 2011 season opener in Calgary, Boyd struggled mightily in Winnipeg in week 2 and it was later revealed that he had injured his knee on a third down play in the first half.
“It’s doing okay and it responded well today,” he said about the knee. “I just have to keep building. It probably took a little bit longer than I expected but it is what it is and I’m happy to be back on the field.”
Boyd split reps with his replacement, Chad Kackert, at practice on Monday. Despite his excitement to get back on the field, Argos GM & Head Coach Jim Barker hardly says the club’s player of the year from 2010 is a lock to start against Montreal on Thursday night.
“I wouldn’t say that about (starting Cory),” Barker said when asked whether he will start Boyd at tailback or not. “He split time today with Chad and we will see how he feels after practice today and going into tomorrow. It was certainly nice to see him out there running the ball today.”
If Boyd does not suit up this week then he vowed to try and do his best to keep heads high around his teammates who are in the midst of a four-game losing streak and have not won since before he exited the lineup.
“I have to bring my joy back to this team. I’ve been down recently but I realized that I can keep spirits up off the field, and if I get a chance to play this week then I’m going to play my role on the field to try and get us back on track.”
Boyd will have one more chance to showcase the health of his knee as the Argos only have Tuesday to get a full workout in before hosting the Als on a short week.