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The reality for Antoine Pruneau is that he hurts just a bit more every day. The pain never really seems to go away.

The Ottawa Redblacks defensive back says on some days he feels twice his age — the physicality of professional football is something that takes its toll on almost everyone out on the field over the course of a training camp, an 18-game season and a post-season — the whole thing can stretch from mid-May into late November.

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Pruneau, now 28, is feeling it. He left Saturday’s 24-17 win over Montreal after landing on Alouettes running back Tyrell Sutton. Earlier in the game, Pruneau received a charley horse.

“I couldn’t make my cuts, I couldn’t run the same way,” Pruneau said. “Part of me wanted to stay on the field, but I have to do what’s best for the team. I had to let the next guy go in. I’ll play (this week).”

No question Pruneau is a warrior. Somehow he was back on the field for practice Monday as his team prepares for a Friday matchup with the Blue Bombers in Winnipeg. In his fifth season in the CFL, he has missed just one game, in 2016, when the Redblacks sat out several starters in the final game of the regular season.