TORONTO

Even before the season began, Joe Rankin, a newcomer to the CFL, was struck by adversity when a pitbull nearly chopped off Rankin’s arm.

Then the CFL season began and adversity would soon strike again, this time Rankin on the receiving end of a mid-field collision in Regina on a punt return that would result in a concussion.

And before that, he was dealing with a hamstring injury.

Rankin is no rank-and-file football player, a piece in the defensive secondary who is grounded, appreciative and always willing and able to bounce back from whatever obstacle gets thrown his way.

“It feels great," began Rankin as he looks forward to his return to the field when he straps it on Wednesday night for the first time since Week 2.

“It just feels good to be with the team again, on the field and doing what you love to do. Secondly, it feels good to get your thought process back and seeing things with your eyes, trusting your eyes. I feel like I’m at home.

“When you’re on the field, that’s when you feel your best. It feels great.”

Rankin quickly established himself as a player worth watching during camp.

The more the Argos brass saw, the more they were convinced he’d be a valuable piece in the secondary.

Rankin, it should be noted, hasn’t played much given his health, but when he has played he has looked good.

“Every day is a learning experience," said Rankin. “When I first came here, I was making plays based purely on athletic ability. Now, getting deeper into the season, I have more opportunities to learn, see things differently and that should definitely help me make more plays.

“I’m not where I want to be at as a player because I have a lot to learn. I haven’t even played a full game yet. I still have plenty to learn, but I’m thankful to have good coaches around me who challenge me, push me and coach me up to a high level.”

Looking back, the most frustrating part for Rankin of not being able to play was how well he had been playing and then it was suddenly taken away.

“Just in general, in life it’s easier when you’re building momentum and I thought I was feeling good, things were going well on the field and then something unexpected happened," said Rankin.

“Sometimes when those things happen they kind of blindside you, but throughout the whole process I thought I’d come back and pick up as though I had never left. That’s the mentality I kept throughout the whole time.”

The pitbull incident on the eve of camp, his hamstring, the early game hit in Regina, it’s enough to discourage anyone.

“The timeline has been difficult, but I’ve been able to hang in there," said Rankin. “And I’m just happy to be out here right now.”

Injury list returnees will boost Argo lineup

The Toronto Argonauts are 1-4 at home, while the B.C. Lions are 4-1 on the road, two teams that appear to be heading in opposite directions.

The two will meet Wednesday night at BMO Field as the Argos become the last team in the nine-team CFL to hit the half-way point of the season.

A win by the Double Blue and suddenly the team will find itself in first place in the East with a 5-4 record.

The fortunes of a football team can change almost as quickly as any change in possession during a game, but the Lions will present plenty of defensive challenges for an Argos team still searching for an explosive edge.

Having Ricky Ray back helps as does the return of offensive lineman Greg Van Roten along the line of scrimmage and receiver Tori Gurley.

The Argos beat the Lions in B.C. in Week 3, playing clean football and overcoming two poorly thrown passes by Ray that should have been intercepted, including a sure pick-six had veteran defensive back Ryan Phillips secured the football.

Avoiding second and long, trying to establish a semblance of run game, ball security, those are the primary areas the Argos offence must execute against a Lions defence that is very assignment-sound, consistent across the board and physical.

“Everyone plays fast, everyone plays hard," said Van Roten of B.C.’s vaunted front seven. “They’re tough and they play well together. It’s going to be a challenge, but I welcome that.”

Gurley’s addition provides the Argos with more balance at the position, some undersized players who are elusive, some, like Gurley, who are big and physical.

When they lined up against Winnipeg, Argos GM Jim Barker referred to the look of the team’s receivers as Smurfs.

Tall, small, whatever the body type, the Argos have to start making some explosive plays.

“I’d love to use that (injuries) as an excuse, but I’m not going to," said head coach Scott Milanovich.

“We as coaches have to find a way to scheme some stuff to give us a better chance to be explosive. And then when we do have opportunities, players have to execute it.

“I think it’s been a combination of those two things that haven’t come together.”