Turns out, he’d taken a step in quite the opposite direction, as Baggs went through his first full practice with the Stamps on Tuesday, and took some significant first-team reps at defensive end, leading to speculation he could make his Stampeder debut in Saturday’s game in Vancouver against the B.C. Lions.

“I think (Wednesday) morning will be an indicator of what type of chance he has for the game,” said Hufnagel, referring to the possibility that Tuesday’s hard work could aggravate the injury. “I was surprised to see him out there, working as much as he did. We’ll see.”

Baggs said he had a good weekend of therapy and recovery; he took part in a portion of a practice early last week before departing early and watching the rest of the week’s sessions in sweats.

“I’ve never really dealt with injury my whole career,” said Baggs. “Having something like this that’s quite stubborn is humbling. You’re here every day, you’re putting in the work, you want to be a part of everything with your teammates — it’s crazy. You’re in meetings and watching film, but watching film of everybody else. It’s difficult. But this moment is a part of my life for a reason. Hopefully this adversity can turn into an advantage for me.”

IN AND OUT

In addition to having Baggs in harness, defensive back Quincy Butler was on the practice field for the first time in a month, taking scout-team reps as his injured knee continues to recover.

On the other hand, slotback Nik Lewis and fullback Wilkerson DeSouza were in MIA as they were sent home to recover from a nasty bout with the flu.

BRINGING DOWN THE LAW

The Stamps signed six-foot-two, 261-pound import defensive lineman Cordarro Law to the practice roster on Tuesday. Law, a Southern Mississippi product, went to camp with the Seattle Seahawks this year before being released, and took part in his first Stampeder practice on Tuesday.

“He has some explosiveness and quickness,” said Hufnagel. “I wasn’t displeased.”

More new faces are expected at Wednesday’s practice as teams can expand their practice rosters from seven to 12 for the next month.

PAPER LION

Stamps defensive tackle Corey Mace was taking some scout-team reps on Tuesday, trying to simulate what Calgary’s starting offensive linemen might see on Saturday in Vancouver.

But he took it to another level, jokingly imitating the infamous cross/throat-slash gesture that earned Lions defensive tackle Khalif Mitchell a CFL fine last month.

“Oh, you saw that?” said Mace with a chuckle. “Well, I just want to give them the exact kind of look they might see, as much as you can imitate somebody. But I was just out there having a good time.”

Mace’s imitation only went so far; he doesn’t have the body type to match Mitchell’s monstrous backside.

“See, that’s something I still have to work on,” said Mace with a smile. “I don’t think it’s going to happen. He’s a big dude.”

acameron@calgaryherald.comFollow Allen Cameron on Twitter/AllenCameronCH