WINNIPEG -- Doug Brown headed to the sidelines during Tuesday's practice, but it wasn't for a rest.
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers defensive tackle used his break to do some shuttle sprints along the sidelines.
Slowing down just isn't in the cards for the 10-year CFL veteran, who turns 36 on Wednesday.
A strict diet and zealous fitness regime have been keys to the long, successful career Brown has enjoyed.
The six-time CFL all-star works out five days a week during the off-season and also does kick boxing and hot yoga. For the first time in his career, he's added three or four morning workouts before this season's practices.
To top it off, the Simon Fraser University product walks or bikes with his Weimaraner, Samuel, daily.
"You get older, your body wants to quit and you've got to keep working it harder if you want to be consistent and play at a level you're used to," Brown said.
He admits last season got him thinking more about his football future because of the frustrating 7-11 campaign under head coach Mike Kelly. Then Kelly was replaced by Paul LaPolice.
"It's fair to say I was inspired by a lot of the changes that were made and the direction our team was headed," Brown said.
But with Winnipeg (3-9) fighting for a playoff spot as it travels to play the B.C. Lions (4-8) Saturday (TSN, 10 p.m. ET), will another disappointing season make this his swan song?
"It's something that requires a lot of thought on my part when the season concludes," said Brown, who's racked up 30 defensive tackles and three sacks this season. "Any time you start eclipsing (age) 30, there's a lot of evaluation to be done, not only by the individual but by the front office."
Brown's teammates and coach don't see him slowing down any time soon.
"Sometimes people start making too big of a deal of the age thing," defensive line coach Richard Harris said. "With age comes maturity, with maturity comes adjustments and Doug has adjusted very well and is playing just as strong today as he played five years ago when I came here."
Brown was runner-up for CFL defensive player of the year in 2008 and won the league's outstanding Canadian award in his rookie 2001 campaign and was runner-up in 2006 and 2007.
"He has a great work ethic so I see what I have to do to have longevity like him," second-year defensive tackle Dorian Smith, 25, said. "He's a great person to be next to.
"He's helped me throughout my career. He has a lot of knowledge and he doesn't shy away from giving me that knowledge."
Brown remains one of the leaders of a defence that got a huge boost Tuesday with the return of Jonathan Hefney. The import defensive back was the East Division outstanding rookie last year with 66 tackles, four interceptions and 10 knockdowns.
"He performed very well in his first year, so if he can bring that calibre of play back, it should pay off in spades in our secondary," Brown said.
Hefney signed with the NFL's Detroit Lions in the off-season, but was cut from the practice roster last week. He's in his option year so the Bombers still hold his CFL rights.
"I enjoyed my time in Detroit and really learned a lot from everyone down there," Hefney said after his arrival at the Winnipeg airport. "Unfortunately, things didn't work out the way I had hoped, but it gives me another opportunity to come up here and continue what I started last year."
Hefney is expected to practise Wednesday and will likely suit up against the Lions.
"I can't wait to step back onto the football field and fly around the field with the guys again," Hefney said.
His return is good timing because defensive back LaVar Glover will be out two-to-three weeks with a groin injury.
"Jonathan showed the league what he's capable of last year," Bombers GM Joe Mack said on the team's website. "All of those things can only improve our young defence, which we feel has really turned the corner these past few weeks."
NOTES -- Slotback Terence Jeffers-Harris resumed practising Tuesday after missing the past seven games with a high ankle sprain. The rookie caught 21 passes for 317 yards and three touchdowns in five games . . . Quarterback Steven Jyles was sick and missed practice.
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