One of the most spectacular receivers in the CFL over the past decade, S.J. Green sustained a torn ACL on June 30 last season and there were suspicions his career was over.

Born Solomon Junior Green, he missed the entire season with Montreal, and age was not on his side. He was 31 and a veteran of 10 CFL seasons.

His numbers when healthy were impressive. In his last full season in 2015, he went over 1,000 yards in receiving for the fourth time in his career. And he had helped Montreal win Grey Cups in 2009 and 2010.

Facing such an arduous comeback at his age led to doubts, though, and the Montreal Alouettes traded him to the Toronto Argonauts in late April for a sixth-round pick in this year’s draft and a conditional pick in the 2018 draft.

“I was feeling unwanted,” he said.

Not only Montreal gave up on him. Doctors did, too. They told him he would never play again.

“I was prepared for an uphill battle,” the South Florida product said Monday at camp at York University.

He didn’t want his career to end that way: with a hard hit delivered by Ottawa Redblacks defender Jerrell Gavins, and Green dropping the ball.

“I refuse to let my last play in the CFL be a dropped ball and a torn ACL,” Green said.

One person who believed in him was new Argonauts general manager Jim Popp. Of course, Popp knew what Green was feeling. The Als had given up on Popp too, firing him as coach last September and then parting ways with him as GM in November.

Monday was a big day for Green: his first practice without a knee brace.

Green showed no ill effects. He ran hard on passing routes, made crisp, clean cuts and never dropped the ball, even diving to the turf to make one catch.

“That was a confidence booster,” Green said. “It was a big plus to finally get out of that brace.”

He admitted he’d actually misplaced it: “I promise I didn’t do it on purpose. But I feel good.”

Green’s rehab included changing his diet. The six-foot-two receiver downed protein shakes and more vegetables and came to camp at 215, about 10 pounds lighter than last season.

“My legs still feel heavy, but I think my body will catch up with itself in about a week or so,” Green said.

He didn’t play in Toronto’s first pre-season game on Thursday, a 24-20 victory over the Alouettes, and it’s too early to say if he will be green-lighted for Friday night’s game in Hamilton against the Ticats. Green wants to test the knee in live game action, but the Argos may proceed with caution.

His value to the Argos isn’t restricted to the field. Off the field, he’s been a leader and mentor for a new crop of receivers in Double Blue. Canadian receiver Jimmy Ralph, who scored the lone offensive touchdown for Toronto on Thursday with a 10-yard TD catch, is trying to learn from Green.

“I sit next him in meetings so I can pick his brain,” said Ralph, a University of Alberta product. “He sees different coverages and I’m trying to get that communication going.”

Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading...

Green is the most well-known name among Argo receivers, but this is a talented group which includes Jeff Fuller, DeVier Posey, Armanti Edwards, Cole Watson and Anthony Coombs.

Green doesn’t have modest goals. Yes, he wants to finish the season healthy, but there’s more.

“I want to be the dominant force that I know I can be,” Green said. “I look forward to redeeming myself.”