Article content continued

“That’s how tough he is, he didn’t talk about it, he didn’t complain about it, he just went out there and went to work and said he’ll deal with it after the game. It’s such a physical position where you need your hand and he’s playing with one good arm against a very good defensive line, that speaks to the type of guy that he is.”

Life goes on, of course, and Draheim’s departure from active duty saw six-foot-11 guard Matt O’Donnell shift over from right guard to protect Reilly’s blind side.

“That’s one of the main positions you rely on in your pass protection as a right-handed quarterback, so I can’t say enough about him too,” Reilly said. “He’s been a guard for his career other than a little spot duty here and there playing tackle, and having to step in and play what a lot of people consider the most important position in terms of pass protection, and do a great job of it all year, that’s impressive as well. So both those guys are the types of guys you want on your team.”

And now Draheim is back practising and waiting in the wings for whenever he’s needed again.

“That whole first game was a nightmare for a lot of us and a lot of guys ended up on the six-game after that,” said Draheim, who won a Grey Cup with the Ottawa RedBlacks before being forced to sit out 2017 due to injury. “It’s something that I’ve been kind of used to lately with what happened last year.

“But I feel good, feel right and the playbook is still fresh in my mind.”

As for his time in Kennewick? Not so much.