Saskatchewan Roughriders’ receiver Shawn Bane Jr. is trending in the right direction following season-ending knee surgery, but can’t promise he’ll be ready for the start of training camp.
“Rehab has gone beautiful. Technically, I’m close to five months post-op, but since it happened, six months. I’m able to jog. I got my knee brace fitted. I’m pretty much, I would say, close to 75 percent. Strengthening really well. They’re waiting on me to actually get to cutting and doing the things that I do, but overall, the leg, the knee, everything is good. We’re in line and we’re firing on all cylinders.”
The five-foot-nine, 178-pound receiver had a breakout season after joining the Riders in 2023, recording 93 receptions for 1,104 yards and four majors. His desire to get back to that level of production and deliver a comeback campaign in 2025 is fueling him through rehab.
“I know sometimes you don’t have to attack it that way but for me, it’s exactly that. I want to show people that adversity isn’t going to stop me,” Bane Jr. said. “So, yeah, trust me, that’s in the back of my brain.”
As a result of the injury, Bane Jr. has added Ottawa to his list of most anticipated opponents alongside rival Winnipeg and his former team, Calgary. The Riders will open the 2025 CFL regular season against the Redblacks at Mosaic Stadium on Thursday, June 5, though he seems more focused on their second meeting — perhaps hinting at a longer timeline for recovery.
“I’ve definitely circled Week 18 for us,” the receiver said. “I’m excited.”
The Sarasota, Fla. native has one year remaining on his contract with the Riders and that makes this season a critical prove-it year for the speedster.
