Ticats all-star DL Ja’Gared Davis hits field for training camp after travel issue

Hamilton Tiger-Cats all-star defensive end Ja’Gared Davis has made it to Tim Hortons Field five days after training camp started.

Davis had a travel issue which pushed back the schedule for his mandatory seven-day quarantine period and caused his delay in arriving in Steeltown for camp.

“He’s got an infectious personality. You get an energy lift when you bring in a guy like Ja’Gared. Nobody was missing it more than him,” head coach Orlondo Steinauer said in a video conference.

“I missed those guys, just being able to see so many faces after not being able to grace the football field with my brothers, it felt like I was at home again,” Davis said in a video conference.

The 30-year-old Davis started 17 games for the Ticats in 2019, finishing second in the CFL with a career-high 13 quarterback sacks while earning East Division all-star honours for the first time. 

The six-foot-one, 238-pound native of Crockett, Texas added 54 defensive tackles, one special teams tackle, five pass knock downs, three forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and three tackles for loss in 2019.

Over his four-year CFL career with the Calgary Stampeders (2016-2018) and Tiger-Cats (2019), the Southern Methodist University product has suited up in 62 games.

During 55 starts, Davis has posted 177 defensive tackles, four special teams tackles, 36 quarterback sacks, three interceptions, 10 pass knock downs, 10 forced fumbles, seven fumble recoveries, one blocked punt and two touchdowns, one fumble return and one interception return.

He has also played in eight playoff games, including four consecutive Grey Cup games — winning one with Calgary in 2018.

Coming out of Southern Methodist, Davis went unselected in the 2013 NFL draft. He signed with the Houston Texans as an undrafted free agent, however the New England Patriots claimed him on waivers following training camp.

He played four games for Bill Belichick, although the Pats released him in late November that year. After that, Davis had stints with Kansas City and Washington.

Davis is the best pass rusher on the Ticats roster and should have plenty of time to prepare for the season despite missing the opening of camp.