Aug
Riderville: Fantuz might play vs. Stamps
Courtesy Regina Leader Post:
It will be a game-time decision when it comes to Andy Fantuz taking part in Saturday’s contest against the Calgary Stampeders.
The Saskatchewan Roughriders slotback is nursing a tender left hamstring. Fantuz took part in Friday’s walk-through at McMahon Stadium and said the injured hamstring felt OK.
“We want to see how it feels before the game and then we’ll make a decision,” said Fantuz. “It’s the only way that I can think of to handle it. I have to rest and prepare for the game as if I’m going to start but it all depends on how I feel.”
Fantuz said that the hamstring has been bothering him for a couple of weeks and that he tweaked it during Tuesday’s practice. He missed practice on Wednesday and Thursday while resting the injury.
The hamstring actually describes three muscle groups in the back of a leg. The muscles stabilize the leg and provide power. Once a hamstring has been injured or pulled there is a good chance of the injury recurring. The Riders and Fantuz are being cautious with the injury before it becomes more serious.
“Hamstring injuries are definitely ones you don’t want to get worse and that will be an issue,” said Fantuz, who is second on the Riders’ receiving corps with 15 receptions for 219 yards and a touchdown. “(Saturday) I will see how much I can run and how my tolerance is for it.”
Regina product Chris Getzlaf has filled in during practice in Fantuz’s absence. He would start if Fantuz can’t play. Adam Nicolson has also been added to the roster as a backup slotback.
“For a receiver, the hamstring is one of the most important parts of your body,” said Fantuz. “You can’t run without it. Freezing things are more for pain and it’s not an issue of pain. It’s more of how it limits me and keeping it from getting worse.”
