Music: {allcanada} RAY BACK TAKING FIRST TEAM REPS AT ESKIMOS PRACTICE

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

{allcanada} RAY BACK TAKING FIRST TEAM REPS AT ESKIMOS PRACTICE

EDMONTON -- Quarterback Ricky Ray was back taking first-team reps at the Edmonton Eskimos practice Tuesday and will likely regain his starting role when the team plays the Saskatchewan Roughriders on Saturday with a playoff berth on the line.

Ray has missed the last two games after suffering a strained muscle in the side of his upper torso in the team's pivotal win over the B.C. Lions in Vancouver. He threw about 50 passes on Sunday and 75 more Monday.

"I feel good out there," he said after Tuesday's practice. "The biggest thing is going to be getting used to throwing to moving targets. Getting used to guys running their routes and getting my timing down. I haven't done that for a couple of weeks. With a full week of practice that should come back pretty quick."

Ray said the difference between this week and last is night and day.

"A week ago there was just too much pain to throw ... now once I get through those first few drills the pain goes away and I feel normal. I feel like I'm not holding back at all, I'm not even really thinking about it."

The Eskimos are glad to have their veteran starter available for the game in Regina. If the B.C. Lions win on Friday then the Eskimos have to win in Regina to get into the post-season.

"I was shooting for this week to get back in," Ray said. "With BC winning (last weekend) it's a different game for us. We're going in there in a must-win situation."

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