Newly-minted CFL all-star KeeSean Johnson has a fighting chance to suit up for the Saskatchewan Roughriders in the West Final.
The 29-year-old, who suffered a knee injury in the first half during Week 19 against the Toronto Argonauts, practiced with his teammates on Wednesday.
“We’re sticking to the plan that we have for him, get him out moving a little bit more than he had been. We’ll continue tomorrow and then walkthrough day might look a little bit different for him. Then, ultimately, we’ll make the decision,” said head coach Corey Mace.
“It’s making sure everybody that is on the mend to come back, that they are where we think they are and they can help us play winning football. We’re going to try to put together the best roster we feel gives us a chance to win a football game.”
The Mountain View, Calif. native recorded 86 receptions for 1,159 yards with four touchdowns in 16 regular-season games. He has been a key target for quarterback Trevor Harris to keep the chains moving, leading the CFL with 39 second-down conversions.
Johnson played in last year’s West Final against the Blue Bombers, catching one pass on six targets for seven yards in a 38-22 loss. Mace explained how his team has taken a different approach to the West Final one year later leading into the match-up against the B.C. Lions.
“The way I think we attacked it last year, everybody was geeked up and storm the castle kind of vibe,” Mace said. “We’re operating business as usual for us, which I think is a good thing.”
The Roughriders (12-6) host the Lions (12-7) in the West Final at Mosaic Stadium in Regina on Saturday, November 8 with kickoff slated for 6:30 p.m. ET. The Lions defeated the Calgary Stampeders 33-30 in the West Semi-Final, while the Riders were on a bye after finishing atop the West Division standings.
The weather forecast in Regina calls for a high of minus-three degrees with a 60 percent chance of flurries. The game will be broadcast on TSN and RDS in Canada and CFL+ internationally. Radio listeners can tune-in on 620 CKRM in Regina.
