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August 23, 2017

Davis a force in return to action

Ja'Gared Davis during a game on June 6, 2017 (Photo by David Moll)

Patience is a virtue. No matter how difficult the waiting can be, eventually there will be a payoff.

After a stint on the six-game injury list, Ja’Gared Davis returned to action for last week’s game at BC.

“First and foremost it’s a blessing,” Davis said. “Being out six, seven weeks is tough on anybody mentally, let alone physically.

“Watching my teammates, my brothers go out there and battling it out and setting the standard . . .  Coming back into the lineup, I wanted to uphold that standard and add fuel to the fire that our team as a whole brings every week.”

Davis wasted little time making his presence felt in the Stamps’ 21-17 win over the Lions, finishing the game with six tackles and a blocked punt.

The 26-year-old says mental focus helped him get back into the swing of things.

“I was prepared like I was a starter, even when I was out,” Davis said. “I was never down – getting back into it was a minor adjustment. Running around and making plays was a small part to getting back. The big part was all mental.

Davis playing against BC on Aug. 18, 2017 (Photo by Canadian Press/Jimmy Jeong)

“I was ready right away. Soon as I hit the ground running and strapped on the helmet, it was go time. It felt just like playing in the background as a kid.

“It was great.”

All season long, the depth on defence – especially the defensive line – has been tested.

“I give great kudos to our defence week in and week out,” Davis said. “We were losing guys on the line = every week it was something – but our defence always stepped up to the challenge.

“Coach always says, ‘No matter if you’re starter or not, when you’re on the field you’re a starter so prepare and play like it.’ No matter who goes out there, we expect to go out there and make plays and hold up that standard throughout not only the game, but the season too.”

Now that Davis is healthy, he’s looking to take his game to the next level.

“I want to improve as a whole,” Davis said. “There isn’t just one part I want to improve, it’s a lot of things I can do to help out the team whether its special teams or be more sound on defence. It’s whatever I can do to help the team get back to the Grey Cup and win it this year.”