Saskatchewan Roughriders defensive lineman Micah Johnson has missed three straight days of training camp practices.
Thursday, Friday and Saturday of last week Johnson was not on the field, while Sunday was an off day for the entire team. Head coach Craig Dickenson stated Johnson received a “shot in his knee” on Saturday.
“He’s got some [left] knee soreness. Nothing different than what he’s had in past years. He’s always had a little bit of a bum knee. We’re just trying to be careful with it and make sure that he’s healthy come game one,” Dickenson said.
The 33-year-old Johnson signed a one-year contract with the Riders in February, returning to the green and white after signing with the B.C. Lions ahead of the canceled 2020 campaign. In 2019, Saskatchewan made Johnson the highest paid defensive player in the CFL at the time. He recorded 26 tackles and four sacks in 15 games during his first year in Riderville.
Even though Johnson had a lower sack total than expected in his first season with the Roughriders, advanced analytics in the football operations department displayed clear data. He was doubled teamed on over 80 percent of the snaps while on the field for the Riders.
Johnson was a CFL all-star in 2018 producing 28 tackles, 14 quarterback takedowns — second most in the league — with three forced fumbles and one interception. That’s how he became known as the most disruptive inside force in the CFL.
Through six seasons with the Calgary Stampeders, Johnson recorded 158 tackles, 41 sacks, six forced fumbles and two interceptions. Johnson turned down more than $200,000 from the Stamps to hit the open market and eventually switch to Saskatchewan.
