BC Lion Casey Printers is looking forward to using his throwing arm against the Montreal Alouettes in Friday night's CFL rival matchup.
The Lions quarterback worked out his kinks in a full practice Tuesday and said he felt good enough to start against Montreal.
"I want to be there with the team," Printers told reporters during Tuesday's practice. "That's one of the reasons why I'm out here right now, because my team needs me."
Printers strained his left quad in a final-minute scrum in the first half of the Lions' home-opener last Saturday. The Lions lost the game 37-18 against the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
Printers considered playing in the second half of the game but was advised by medical staff to stay off the field or risk aggravating the injury
"As much as my team needs me, I am going to do everything in my power to make sure I'm helping as much as I can," said Printers.
Saturday's homecoming wasn't welcoming for receiver O'Neil Wilson, who suffered a concussion, and linebacker Anton McKenzie, who is out with an ankle injury.
McKenzie told reporters he is day-to-day, but did not participate in Tuesday's practice.
Slotback Paris Jackson said he is feeling better after tweaking his knee against the Riders. He also said he is feeling the best he has since his training camp injury.
Keron Williams has a nagging groin injury and will be a game-day decision. The defensive end said he would play if it were the playoffs and added he wants be as healthy as possible when faces his former team.
"Everything is feeling fine and I'm moving forward," said Williams at Tuesday's practice. "I'm trying to not let this thing get the best of me.
"It's tough when I'm watching my team go out there and knowing that I could possibly contribute."
Williams said he is trying to keep focused on his recovery and staying positive so he can get back into action as soon as possible. Getting through a full practice feeling close to 100 per cent is the first step for Williams, he said.
"It's heavy on me because I really want to play against Montreal," said Williams.
Williams won the Grey Cup last year with Montreal before joining the Lions. Playing against the team he left and proving himself with his new younger squad is something Williams said he doesn't want to miss.
Lions head coach Wally Buono said that his team's recent injuries are just part of the game.
"It's not something you can dwell on because this is professional football and injuries, or banged-up players, are a part of the game."
Football is a physical game and players get injured because the nature game's "severe" contact, said Buono.
Buono also said he is confident Printers will be in the Lions lineup on Friday. Meanwhile his other players will continue to rehabilitate their injuries in hopes of suiting up for the game.
"At the end of it, you have to tape up and go out there and play," Buono said.
