Toronto Argonauts place running back Chad Kackert on practice roster

TORONTO - So much for Chad Kackert's retirement.

The Toronto Argonauts placed the veteran running back on the practice roster Saturday. Kackert retired on the opening day of training camp to become the CFL club's strength-and-conditioning coach after suffering a broken left ankle prior to the 2013 East Division final that required surgery.

"We are anxious to see how far he's come these past several months and we're hopeful he can return to playing at a high level," Argos GM Jim Barker said in a statement.

The development, though, isn't surprising. When Kackert, 28, retired, he left the door open to a potential return, saying the injury hadn't completely healed sufficiently when camp opened and that he'd continue with his rehab.

The five-foot-eight, 206-pound Kackert joined the Argos as a free agent in 2010, appearing in 24 games over three seasons. He rushed for 1,467 yards and 12 TDs on 228 carries while adding 50 catches for 454 yards and two touchdowns.

Kackert was named the MVP of Toronto's 35-22 win over the Calgary Stampeders in the 100th Grey Cup on Nov. 25, 2012. He rushed for 133 yards on 20 carries in leading the Argos to victory at Rogers Centre.