After some doubt was cast on Friday, the Riders confirmed that Cody Fajardo will start Sunday in the West Final.
“He’s shown that he’s healthy,” says Head Coach Craig Dickenson. “He’s going to have some soreness and some stiffness. But he’s shown that he can execute and run the offense the way we need him to.”
Fajardo echoed those sentiments. He says his oblique injury continues to improve every day.
“Today was a simple walk-through day so I didn’t have to push it at all,” says Fajardo. “Gives me another day to rest. All things considered, it’s feeling the best that I’ve felt since I had the injury.”
Fajardo says the injury has been physically taxing–not only the pain, but the longer hours getting early-morning treatment. And it’s been mentally taxing as well.
“I think it’s convincing your body you can do it, or that something is not going to go wrong,” he says.
“I remember my first ball, I was really nervous just to throw it. But once you get over obstacles where you throw the ball you’re like ‘Hey, it’s not that bad’ or it didn’t blow out on me, it really helps you.”
Fajardo has previously said he won’t be 100 per cent for this game. Whatever percent he is, it’s all going to be on display on Sunday–judiciously so.
“(I’ll do) whatever it takes to win this game,” says Fajardo. “And for me, that’s something I’ve got to think about. If I get out there and things aren’t going right, I have to be able to pull myself out of the game if I know I can’t get certain things done. Because it would be selfish of me to put our team at risk knowing that I can’t do the things that’s asked by Coach McAdoo or by our offense.”
“I have to be really smart and level-headed with that decision. Hopefully adrenaline takes over and I don’t feel anything.”
Playing injured is not new to Fajardo. He’s had an assortment of pains and injuries this season. And he’s previously played with a torn MCL. He says his oblique injury isn’t one that can be made much worse by playing with it. Dickenson says Cody won’t be alone in playing hurt.
“Everybody on that field knows they’re one big shot away from possibly being injured and he’s no different,” says Dickesnson. “It hasn’t affected his mobility at all. We feel like he’s going to be able to move, elude the pass rush like he always has and we’re hopeful that not practicing a lot doesn’t make him rusty.”
The West Final kicks off at 3:30 pm Sunday. The pre-game show with Michael Ball begins at 12:30 on 620 CKRM and across the Cooperators Roughrider Radio Network.