Darian Durant is healthy and ready to return for a 10th CFL season.

The 32-year-old is back to feeling like his old self after suffering a season-ending elbow injury in September of last year.

Durant appeared likely to return to the field when he was activated by the Saskatchewan Roughriders ahead of their Western Semi-Final playoff game in November. However the Friday before the game, Durant was downgraded to questionable and due to suffering what was described as a “mental and physical setback.”  He did not dress for the team’s 18-10 loss to the Edmonton Eskimos despite taking first-team reps in practice; a decision that was highly scrutinized by both members of the media and some fans.

Speaking to TSN.ca on Wednesday, Durant said he stands by that decision.

“I just wasn’t ready to play,” said Durant. “I mean who are they to criticize someone who’s injured?  But it is what it is, I think that’s part of the business we’re in and it just comes with the territory.”

Despite the scrutiny and an injury to his throwing arm, the two-time West All-Star says he never considered hanging up his cleats after the season.

“I always, mentally, wanted to come back,” Durant said. “I think as a competitor, you don’t ever want to walk away from the game, you want to be out there and if you look at the film then you can say ‘okay, I just don’t have it anymore.’ But after an injury you definitely want to give it an opportunity to see what you can do.

“I never thought about walking away, only thing I wondered is if my arm would ever be the same – if I could be the same player I was before the injury.”

Durant took part in the Roughriders’ Florida mini-camp and head coach Corey Chamblin declared him “past the rehab stage” in his return from the elbow injury.

“I feel confident,” Durant said. “I’m glad I didn’t risk it in the playoffs and come back because I just wasn’t ready and that gave me a couple more months to focus on rehab and make sure I’ve got my proper strength back.

“It’s a violent game we play and you can’t go out there and not be 100 per cent, because then you risk ending your career.”

When it comes to dealing with media reports, many of which questioned his character after the playoff loss, Durant said he doesn’t understand the criticism.

Durant has not set any statistical goals for the upcoming season, but says he has one constant goal in mind.

“Personally, everyone has their personal goals and for me it’s just to be the best quarterback in the league regardless of what the stats may end up being,” Durant said. “It’s all about the best player you can be on a personal level.

“On a team level, it’s all about the Grey Cup.”

That quest for the Roughriders will be begin June 13 as they open their preseason against the Eskimos.

Durant is a proud representative of BOKS Kids, an initiative of the Reebok Canada Foundation. The program is driven by communities to help empower parents, teachers and schools to give kids a body and brain boost that will set them up for a day of learning. These fun work-out classes help set children up to lead an active and healthy lifestyle early on.

“Boks is very important because being active as a kid is definitely something that needs to improve around the country and not just in Canada but in all of North America,” Durant explained of the program.