ARGONAUTS.CA STAFF

MISSISSAUGA – In a surprise move, LB Jason Pottinger participated in parts of practice with a heavy brace on his injured knee Wednesday. It led some to believe that he may return this season.

Pottinger’s appearance at practice shocked everybody but the man himself.  Following his first workout since his injury sustained on July 1, the veteran middle linebacker seemed confident and in good health as he attempted to reverse what looked like a season that ended before it really began.

“I’m back on the field, strapped on a brace and I feel great,” he enthused.  “I’m just testing the waters to see how it feels and there is no issue so far.”

Pottinger hurt his knee in the second quarter of his team’s season opening win in Calgary when his leg jammed in the turf while covering a punt.  The original diagnosis was damage to his ACL and other ligaments that would require surgery and effectively end his season.  Surgery is still an option but the 28-year-old has elected to hold out for a few more weeks to see if he can somehow work his way back into an Argos lineup that has seen their linebacking corps decimated with injuries during the first third of the season.

Both Jason and GM & Head Coach Jim Barker understand that there are inherent risks involved when testing out such a serious injury. After consulting with team doctors and basing a lot on how the knee feels, both said that they are comfortable with the decision to return to the field.  It is for that reason that the club will evaluate Pottinger’s progress and judge it day by day.

“The worst thing that could happen is we bring him back for two football games and he comes out and the knee is too painful to play on,” Barker reasoned.  “I want to make sure that his knee is right.”

Pottinger is a little more eager. He stated that not only does he feel comfortable he has no apprehension should he get back into game action.

“Bad stuff can happen on any play.  Guys go out knowing that and you go out and do your job like a soldier does.  I feel like I can contribute positively to the team, I can help the team win games and that’s what I am going to try to do,” Pottinger said.

Where Pottinger’s possible return really gets tricky is with his injury status and how it affects the Argos’ salary cap.  With his initial prognoses keeping him out long term, he is currently registered on the club’s nine-game injured list so his salary is not counted against the team’s total expenditure. However, CFL team’s have the opportunity to recall one player from their nine-game injured list in each half of the season, but his salary would then revert back against the cap.

It is a decision for Barker and his staff and regardless of what conclusion they come to, everyone at the Argos training facility seems to be commending Pottinger for his determination to get back into the lineup.

“When you have a locker room and you see a guy do what he did, where he tried to step back into the fray, its upbeat.  But that’s a testament to the type of guys we have,” Barker said.

Conversely, Pottinger doesn’t see it as such a noble decision, nor a courageous effort. He just wants to be back on the field.

“It’s not a testament to anything…I am not trying to prove anything – it is about the Toronto Argonauts and winning football games.”