The Saskatchewan Roughriders held a closed practice on Thursday, but a couple of key players weren’t out on the field in preparation for Saturday’s game.
Star defensive tackle Micah Johnson did not participate in the workout do to an ankle injury, while starting left tackle Brett Boyko was out with illness. Both players had practiced the previous two days of the week.
Head coach Craig Dickenson said it was too early to determine if any starting lineup changes would be required for Saturday’s matchup with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. Player statuses will be revealed on Friday.
Johnson missed some time in training camp with a “bum knee,” but was healthy for the season opener. The 33-year-old igned 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.
Perhaps the more impactful absence, the Riders are crossing their fingers that the illness to Boyko is not serious. The Saskatoon native has been tasked with protecting the blindside of star quarterback Cody Fajardo for an offensive line already decimated by retirements, opt outs and injuries.
Boyko isn’t the first Rider offensive lineman to succumb to illness either, with rookie Mattland Riley currently isolated from the team with a highly contagious case of mono. There is no suggestion that the two cases are linked and the team hopes to see Boyko back on the field soon.
