Courtesy Toronto Star:

Andre Durie could scarcely believe his ears when he was told he could play football again without a knee brace.

“When they first gave me the news, I was kind of shocked,” the 26-year-old York University product said yesterday at the Toronto Argonauts training camp in Mississauga. “I was expecting them to say I should keep it on.

“But I’m grateful that the strength in the muscle is enough to convince the doctors who once told me I’d probably never walk again that I’m ready to go without a crutch.”

That diagnosis, which came three years after Durie’s left knee was almost destroyed in a game, wasn’t just good news for the Mississauga native. The Argos had seen enough of the speedy back’s skills last season that the clean bill of health prompted them to dispatch import running back Anthony Davis to clear the path.

Now, after three surgeries and endless rounds of physiotherapy, Durie is a key part of what head coach Rich Stubler calls a vastly improved running back corps.

What stands out about newcomer Tyler Ebell, Durie and fellow Canadian Jeff Johnson is their toughness, Stubler says.

“In this league, or any league, you need a running back who’s going to play 18 games,” he said. “Your running back has to be consistent. We have not had a consistent running back here for as long as I can remember.

“I’m not looking for a flash-in-the-pan guy who can get me 100 yards and then tweak a hamstring.”

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