Ready to play

Lions’ T.J. Lee looking forward to first regular season game since rupturing his Achilles tendon

T.J. Lee was always the one to encourage a teammate felled by injury.

When the B.C. Lions defensive back went down early last season with a ruptured Achilles tendon, he learned just how hollow those words can sound.

“It affects you mentally,” said Lee. “You’re so quick to tell people that get hurt, ‘It’s all right, you’re going to be back.’

“When you’re the one, you really have to internalize it as an experience that shouldn’t get past you or impact you as an athlete ... you grow from it and come back.”

After getting through training camp and pre-season, the 26-year-old Seattle native will play his first meaningful game since July on Saturday when B.C. hosts the Edmonton Eskimos in the CFL season opener for both clubs.

“Football is an adversity sport,” said Lee, the Lions’ weakside halfback. “I’m happy that I got through it, and I’m happy that it’s finally over and that I’m back to playing ball.”

Lee rejoins a secondary that was decimated by injuries in 2016, but still attracted heavy criticism for a league-low nine interceptions.

While there was a lot of talk in training camp about the Lions’ explosive offence, building on the last season’s 12-6 record will rest heavily on a defence with a lot of new faces.

“We’ve lost a lot of good players that helped us win, but we have some other good players that are going to help us win,” said linebacker Solomon Elimimian. “They might not be household names now, but I guarantee by the end of the season they will be.”

Most of the Lions’ household names reside on the other side of the ball, where third-year quarterback Jonathon Jennings leads an attack featuring receivers Emmanuel Arceneaux and Bryan Burnham, and running back Jeremiah Johnson.

“All the versatility we have, all the depth we have, all the fireworks we have on offence ... it’s going to be really fun,” said Jennings.

“I’m happy that I got through it, and I’m happy that it’s finally over and that I’m back to playing ball.” Lions’ T.J. Lee