> Lions’ Lulay set to return,

QB has missed last two games with injury

SURREY — Veteran B.C. Lions quarterback Travis Lulay is feeling good after spending a pair of games on the sidelines with a dislocated shoulder.

Or at least he’s feeling good enough.

“I feel like I’ve caught up to where everyone else is playing hurt at this time in the season. No one feels great at this point of the year,” Lulay said after practice on Tuesday.

“But I definitely feel good, confident, ready to play.”

The 35-year-old has thrown for 1,845 yards, eight touchdowns and four interceptions in eight games this year.

He has also faced a series of injuries throughout the season, which he started on the sidelines as he rehabbed a knee injury he suffered last year.

This time around, Lulay was hurt during the Lions’ 32-14 win over the Montreal Allouettes on Sept. 14, and missed B.C.’s last two matches.

Last week, the shoulder — his left, non-throwing arm — started to feel better and Lulay suited up as an emergency third option for the Lions (7-7) as they took on the Toronto Argonauts (3-11).

B.C. won 26-23, improving their season to .500 and retaining hope for a playoff spot.

Now the veteran is poised to be back in the starting role this week when the squad visits the Calgary Stampeders (12-2).

“We expect Travis to start and if we have to, Jonathon [Jennings] will be ready,” said Lions head coach Wally Buono.

He added that both Lulay and backup Jennings are taking a lot of reps in practice, just in case.

The 26-year-old Jennings has filled the starting role the past two games with mixed results, including a 199-yard performance last Saturday.

The coaches want to have a hard time picking a starting quarterback because they want everyone playing well, Lulay said.

“There’s no guarantees about anything. If I’ve learned anything about this business, it’s to not get ahead of yourself,” he said.

“You’ve just got to be ready to play. And we need everybody down this stretch run. So it’s hugely important that everyone’s locked in and ready to play good football.”

Knowing that the team’s usual starter is back in fight form hasn’t changed anything for the backup.

“I’m going to work hard as I always have [in practice] and be ready,” Jennings said.

Apparent questions have swirled recently about the quarterback’s commitment to the game.

Lions general manager Ed Hervey spoke with two Vancouver media outlets last week, saying he has seen some good things from Jennings, but that the Columbus, Ohio, native is “rarely” seen around the team’s training facility enough to show that he has what it takes to take his game to the next level.

Jennings has passed for 1,427 yards, eight touchdowns and seven interceptions in eight games this year.