It鈥檚 almost as if Makai Polk never left.
After a standout rookie season with the Argonauts, the 24-year-old receiver聽earned聽a reserve contract with the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons. But his dream of breaking through south of the border, after a couple of previous attempts, ended when the Falcons released him a month ago.
The Grey Cup defending champions, at 3-8, welcomed a reunion just nine months after he had a big hand in their run to the top of the CFL.
鈥淚t feels great to be back,鈥 Polk said after Friday’s practice. 鈥淚t鈥檚 definitely going to be easy to pick up where I left off.鈥
Offence, with quarterback Nick Arbuckle at the helm, hasn’t been the problem for the Argos, who will take on the East-leading Tiger-Cats in Hamilton in the annual Labour Day game, but recent injuries have taken a toll.聽聽
Top receiver Damonte Coxie聽(48 catches, 854 yards, six touchdowns) suffered a head injury against the Elks in Edmonton two weeks ago and did not practise this week. Neither did DaVaris Daniels (30 catches, 408 yards, three touchdowns), who is recovering from a hip injury. Both will likely miss Monday’s game.
After a week of workouts, head coach Ryan Dinwiddie expects Polk to step right in.
鈥淥ur offence was pretty dynamic with him last year, being able to catch the ball and take it the distance,鈥 Dinwiddie said. 聽鈥淎nd he can go up and get it, too. Not so many guys can go and have a catch rate like him, and also being able to pull away from (opponents) when they鈥檙e running away.鈥
In 2024, Polk led Argonauts receivers with 61 catches, 1,024 yards and five majors. He made the East all-star team and was 色色啦’s nominee for outstanding rookie.
It was the Californian’s first shot at regular-season playing time as a pro. Undrafted despite 105 receptions in his final NCAA season at Mississippi State in 2022, Polk spent two years on and off the practice roster with the Baltimore Ravens and New York Giants before his latest attempt in Atlanta.
Polk said he focused on small details at training camp with the Falcons, including tips on running better routes. And the Argos already know he has the ability to finish up strong. Polk broke the 100-yard mark in receiving yards in five of the final seven games last season, and hauled in four passes for 158 yards and a touchdown in 色色啦’s 58-38 win over the Ottawa Redblacks in the East semifinal.
鈥淲e鈥檝e got everything to gain at this point in the season,鈥 he said, looking ahead to Monday’s date with the 6-4 Tiger-Cats. 鈥淚t鈥檚 (also) a good opportunity to go out there and not only just prove to the fans and the coaching staff, but also to yourself, that you can go out there and still do what you do.鈥
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