Riders quarterback Darian Durant in action against the Montreal Alouettes last season. (file photo)

Darian Durant left last Sunday's game in BC with an injury to his throwing hand, but that's about as much as has been revealed about the Saskatchewan Roughriders quarterback's injury.

The Riders returned to the practice field on Wednesday to start their preparations for Sunday's Labour Day Classic and Durant was on the field with his teammates in pads, but wasn't very active during the practice.

“He was out there, but he didn't throw today, so I can't give you an update,” said head coach Corey Chamblin. “I told him that, 'until I actually see you throw, it doesn't look likely (that he'll play)'.”

There wasn't much information given by Durant in regards to what is wrong with hand other than to say that he hit it off a helmet during the second quarter of last Sunday's win over the Lions. He finished the half, but after his hand swelled up on him during the break, he turned the game over to backup Tino Sunseri.

“It's pretty sore, but we'll just take it day-by-day and see where we are,” said Durant. “I'm striving to play this weekend, I'm going to do everything necessary therapy-wise to put me in a good position to go, but if I can't than I know Tino will be ready.

“It's just one of those things of being a quarterback,” he added. “It's happen to me numerous times, so I kind of understand how it's going to feel and where it will be and we'll just reevaluate it tomorrow and see where we are.”

While the Riders would like Durant to be ready to go on day one of practice, it looks like it will be a situation that they monitor day-to-day to see how he progresses before making a decision on Sunday's game.

“I'm not sold at this point,” said Chamblin. “There's tomorrow and then in his situation, he can probably go to day three just because of where we are in the offence now.

“I just want him to stay in tune with what he's doing and conditioning and things like that,” he added. “If you're not going to do anything, at least put yourself through the rigors of a regular type practice.”

Durant has been known to play through injuries during his career, but this is one that he finds frustrating because it's one that he can't really play through.

“If I played any other position, you can just tape it up, take some meds and be good to go,” he said. “Being a quarterback, you need your hands more than anywhere else, so that makes it tough.”

If Durant can't go, Sunseri would be in line for his first CFL start. Durant and Chamblin are both confident that he can step in and lead the offence.

“I expect him to get in there and do well,” said Chamblin. “Tino is probably one of the most calm guys you can ever get around, but he's been around football all his life. He throws a great deep ball, he commands the huddle and guys believe in him.”

The Riders return to practice on Thursday, but the workout is closed to the media and fans, so more of an update on Durant will probably have to wait until day three on Friday.

News & Notes... Chris Best didn't participate in practice on Wednesday and Chamblin said his status is up in the air for Sunday... Tristan Jackson was out as well on Wednesday, but he's expected back on Thursday... Linebackers Weldon Brown and Sam Hurl both returned to practice, as did running back Jerome Messam.