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“It was definitely a time that was kind of hard for me and my family, but it put a lot of stuff into perspective. We just prayed on it and stayed diligent to that part, and now we’re ready to take a step forward.”

Jackson didn’t necessarily realize the extent of his injury right away, but his symptoms began getting worse in the day or two after the Stamps’ win over the Lions on June 29. Stampeders head coach Dave Dickenson was adamant that he wouldn’t rush his running back’s recovery and might even force him to take an extra week or two once Jackson felt ready to return.

In retrospect, that’s something Jackson appreciates.

“I mean … I come first in all that stuff. My brain comes before the game, before everybody else,” Jackson said. “I think the program, they did a great job trying to make sure I’m feeling right and I can trust myself when I go out there. I appreciate the fact that they were all worried about my health.”

Now, though, Jackson is symptom-free and ready to return.

Anybody who follows Jackson on social media knows he feels like he’s got something to prove.

“Yeah, I do. I’ve gotta earn the right to carry the football for this team,” Jackson said. “I’ve gotta earn the respect of my teammates again. I’ve gotta earn the respect of my coaches again. I’ve gotta earn the respect of the league again. I know what’s in front of me. I’m excited.”

After rushing for 924 yards and three touchdowns in 2018, Jackson’s numbers in the first two games of the season were off that pace, as he ran for 48 yards on 17 carries.