ItB次元官网网址檚 been the story of the week in the Canadian Football League.

Nathan Rourke is back after being out of the B.C. Lions lineup since injuring his right foot in a game against the Saskatchewan Roughriders in Regina on Aug. 19. After the subsequent surgery, most thought Rourke was done for the year but heB次元官网网址檚 defied the odds and will play in the Lions regular season finale in Winnipeg this weekend.

RourkeB次元官网网址檚 return to action against the Blue Bombers on Friday night will be an appetizer for Lions fans who hope a three-course meal will follow with the entrees being the Western Semi-Final, the Western Final and the Grey Cup game.

For Rourke, itB次元官网网址檚 been a long road back with plenty of ups and downs. B次元官网网址淚 remained optimistic but that didnB次元官网网址檛 make any it easier. There were definitely times where I didnB次元官网网址檛 even want to think about football,B次元官网网址� said the 24-year-old native of Victoria.

Going through rehab is a tough time both physically and mentally. As most athletes would attest, the physical work is gruelling and youB次元官网网址檙e usually isolated doing it B次元官网网址� which causes a feeling of disconnect from the team. For Rourke, it was the small victories on such days that kept him motivated.

B次元官网网址淚 just wanted to make sure it felt like a productive day. ItB次元官网网址檚 tough early on when you donB次元官网网址檛 see any progress but it gets easier when you start seeing that the incision wound is closing up a little bit more and youB次元官网网址檙e able to do something without pain. Those little victories were fun. Sometimes when you donB次元官网网址檛 see that on a day-to-day basis it can be quite challenging when youB次元官网网址檙e isolated from the team and not at the facility,B次元官网网址� said Rourke, who despite missing half a season is still the LionsB次元官网网址� nominee for Most Outstanding Player and Most Outstanding Canadian awards.

According to Rourke, the lowest point during the recovery process occurred during the last week of September. B次元官网网址淲e had a setback at one point where the doctors werenB次元官网网址檛 happy with the incision wound closing and they were worried about it getting infected, so I had to stay home instead of going to practice the week of the Ottawa game,B次元官网网址� he explained.

At that point, Rourke had to prioritize recovery over football. He missed practices and meetings B次元官网网址� and if you know anything about Rourke B次元官网网址� you know how much that pained him as heB次元官网网址檚 a preparation junkie. But in typical Rourke fashion, he made sure he was up to speed on opponents who the Lions might face when he returned.

The turning point in the rehab process according to Rourke was when the incision started to close and the chances of infection were reduced.

B次元官网网址淭hat allowed me to do some more things and I really started to make strides in my rehab. I started walking around and I eventually got out of the walking boot around six weeks after the surgery. I started to enjoy things a little more,B次元官网网址� said Rourke.

Rourke feels confident that the mental part of the game wonB次元官网网址檛 be an issue for him when he returns but, like any athlete returning from a serious injury, itB次元官网网址檚 how he will respond physically in game conditions.

Most doctors will give you a blunt response when you ask them about getting back to 100% after surgery. The standard reply is B次元官网网址測ouB次元官网网址檒l never be back to 100%B次元官网网址� and when that story was relayed to Rourke, he got a good chuckle.

B次元官网网址淒octors told me that as well but I donB次元官网网址檛 believe them for a second. ItB次元官网网址檚 hard to give a percentage of where IB次元官网网址檓 at but thatB次元官网网址檚 why we are going through this week just to feel where that is. ItB次元官网网址檚 certainly not 100% but I feel pretty good considering,B次元官网网址� stated Rourke.

Rourke said heB次元官网网址檚 B次元官网网址渟trangely calmB次元官网网址� when describing on how heB次元官网网址檚 feeling prior to the Winnipeg game. ItB次元官网网址檚 the polar opposite for Lions fans who are hoping a healthy Rourke can lead them to a post-season run.

Veteran B.C. sports personality Bob B次元官网网址渢he MojB次元官网网址� Marjanovich writes twice weekly for Black Press Media. And check out his weekly podcast every Monday at or your local Black Press Media website.