Taylor Shire
Regina Leader-Post
The Saskatchewan Roughriders are hoping to use this week as a tune-up before getting back into real game action next week.
After wrapping up the regular season last week with a 12-6 record, the Roughriders are spectators this weekend as they await their opponent — either the B.C. Lions or Calgary Stampeders — in the West final on Nov. 8.
And it appears several injured Roughriders are trending in the right direction when it comes to making an official return to the lineup for the playoffs.
After missing several weeks with a knee injury, short-yardage quarterback Tommy Stevens was back to practice this week as the Roughriders return to the field for three days of workouts before ramping things up next week. As was cornerback Marcus Sayles and offensive linemen Trevon Tate and Zack Fry.
Meanwhile, receivers KeeSean Johnson and Dohnte Meyers were both unable to participate during practice on Wednesday or Thursday alongside halfback Rolan Milligan and defensive end Shane Ray.
However, that doesn’t mean they won’t be cleared to get back on the field next week.
“I’ll say everybody’s trending to be back,” said Roughriders head coach Corey Mace, who was named the West division’s coach of the year on Wednesday. “We’ve still got a couple guys that are getting a little extra work, but everybody is trending to be where we need to be, come the West final.”
Despite not preparing for a game this week, Mace said it was still important for the group to get back on the field and focus in on what needs to be accomplished on Nov. 8.
“Just be more detailed, detail-oriented, lock into some of the fundamentals of the foundation of who we are, and really just keep the energy where it should be,” said Mace. “It’s that time of year, anybody can win any game.
While the Riders are preparing to face either the Lions or Stampeders, much of this week will be about looking at themselves internally.
We did enough in season to allow ourselves to take care of our bodies this week and have that first round bye,” said middle linebacker Jameer Thurman. “It just allows us to hone in on the things that we’ve got to continue to work on and then can go out there and just execute.
“Every advantage you can get on your possible point that you’re about to play, you’ve got to take it. We’re treating this week like a regular game week and preparing as such.”
“A lot of times, that is our focus,” added Mace. “What can we do better now?
“We try to focus on what we do, but certainly with the understanding of what our opponent is trying to do to us.”
Once the semifinals conclude and the Roughriders find out who their opponent is, the game preparation will then ramp up another level leading up to the West final next Saturday, which is the first West final played at Mosaic Stadium since 2019.
“The advantage I think for being at home, specifically in this place, is tremendous,” said Mace, whose team lost in Winnipeg in the West final last year. “Being on the flip side and going to somebody else’s barn last year, it was tough on us as the opponent going in there.
“I want that to be the exact same environment here. And that’s our fanbase’s job, man. That’s why we built this place, is to bring Rider Nation here for games like this.”
