DURANT COMING BACK BETTER THAN EVER

REGINA (CP) – Saskatchewan Roughriders quarterback Darian Durant says he’ll be ready to return from a season-ending Achilles tendon injury by January.

Durant suffered the injury in the Riders’ season-opening loss to Winnipeg.

But in a rare bit of good news for the struggling Roughriders, the 2013 Grey Cup-winning quarterback said his recovery is ahead of schedule.

“I’m feeling good. If I can stay healthy, I still feel like I’m the best quarterback in this league and I’m out to prove that,” Durant told reporters Monday.

He said the next move is to work on more explosive exercises, such as sprinting. He plans to spend the off-season working out in Regina.

The 33-year-old shrugged off doubts about his future.

“Everyone that I’ve seen go down from an Achilles has come back and is still a productive player, so there’s no question that I’ll be in that same boat,” he said.

“But like I said, I won’t be the same player, I’ll be a lot better.”

Durant missed part of the 2014 season after suffering a torn tendon in the elbow of his throwing arm that September. He had surgery to repair it and in April was looking forward to getting back on the gridiron.

Watching from the sidelines again has been tough.

“It’s been crushing just watching the team go through this each and every week and not being able to help,” said Durant.

“I really think that I could really help this team succeed this year, so it’s sucks watching it. But it’s a learning experience for me. It humbled me and it just has me fired up getting ready for next year.”

The Riders have also struggled to a dismal 2-15 record this season without Durant.

Injuries hit the team hard.

After Durant went down, backup quarterback Kevin Glenn stepped in. Then Glenn was felled by a torn pectoral muscle in Saskatchewan’s loss to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on July 26. Several other key players are out too, including defensive back Terrell Maze and linebacker Shea Emry.

In August, the Roughriders fired head coach Corey Chamblin and vice president of football operations and general manager Brendan Taman.

Durant said it will be a team effort to rebuild for next season, but he believes he’s one of the key pieces.

“I’m the guy. I mean I feel like I’m the guy that could take this team to the next level, get this team out of this slump. You know, I’m confident in my abilities.”

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Anonymous
Anonymous
9 years ago

With the two injuries he's suffered being pretty major, and sitting out for nearly a year and a half of competitive play sadly he's gong to be a second string at best. Great guy, but not the future of this club.

As for Meyers, well, that pic says it all about that guy.

Green Blood
Green Blood
9 years ago

Nice facial expression Meyers!!

Anonymous
Anonymous
9 years ago

I don't miss Duke on the sportscage, if only a few of your other guests would follow.

Anonymous
Anonymous
9 years ago

Sorry doubles, great guy but past the point of being a go to #1 in this league. All the best Darian

Anonymous
Anonymous
9 years ago

Hence why Meyers think's he's a big deal…….yup, Regina Global newscasts…..#bigtime.

Darian's done, moving on to hopefully the new future of good things to come with a new GM, new coach and an actual future sustainable winning plan.

Anonymous
Anonymous
9 years ago

How is ol' Wes Mantooth (Myers) anyways? Probably kind of lonely down at the station with Heather Anderson and Jill Morgan moved on to better things. Only guy that loves a camera more than Myers is Remple.

Billy Bob
Billy Bob
9 years ago

A women sports reporter!! In Saskatchewan?? The world is going into a hell basket.

Anonymous
Anonymous
9 years ago

Only 8 years younger than Henry Burris, so maybe there is a better future ahead for Rider Nation.

Anonymous
Anonymous
9 years ago
Reply to  Anonymous

No such thing as Rider Nation, quit trying to be a wannabe. Sorry, only Riderville.

Anonymous
Anonymous
9 years ago

And he was supposed to be back last year for the playoffs too …. right ?

Anonymous
Anonymous
9 years ago

Rider nation can't wait to have the number one QB back in the league. The team needs its leader.

He is all leader!

Anonymous
Anonymous
9 years ago

Doubt him all you want, ( very likely, just as you have all along) he'll be back and will lead this team for years to come. All DD does is win.

Anonymous
Anonymous
9 years ago

Sad to watch this team media grab, serious injury.

Riderfans.com
Riderfans.com
9 years ago

Can't wait to get Darian back on the field. Definitely one of the best QB's and will prove it once again in 2016.

Anonymous
Anonymous
9 years ago
Reply to  Riderfans.com

How gullible.

Anonymous
Anonymous
9 years ago

Boy Darian I sure hope you are right and I hope the new GM can build an O-line that can protect you and find a couple of 6'4" receivers to balance out the Dakota twins.

Anonymous
Anonymous
9 years ago

There is every reason to believe DD. If he says 6000 yards is doable he will do it. However, he can't play D or special teams. 6000 yards will be only good for the record book as special teams and D give up 7000 yards plus. 49 points is not enough when the rest of the team gives up 50.

Anonymous
Anonymous
9 years ago

I still love our nice green license plates that say Rider Nation on them.
Sad to know that the Redblacks can never have a Redblack Nation license plate.

Anonymous
Anonymous
9 years ago

The green kool-aid is flowing today!

Anonymous
Anonymous
9 years ago

Good to hear from DD. And people … never sell that guy short!

Anonymous
Anonymous
9 years ago

Bring him back for the final game in Montreal , even with crutches he would probably be better than what we have.

Anonymous
Anonymous
9 years ago

Is it not about time for the Ottawa football franchise to fold? I mean is that not their history? Fold, get help and come back with a new name. That covers the city perfectly.