Taylor Shire
Regina Leader-Post
Shawn Bane Jr. is itching to get back into the lineup.
After suffering a season-ending knee injury nearly 10 months ago, the Saskatchewan Roughriders third-year receiver has been a full participant in practice for the past two weeks but is still waiting to make his season debut.
“Back to the basics,” Bane said this week as the Roughriders get set to visit the Montreal Alouettes on Saturday. “Just trying to build up the body, literally. I got it broken down so completely rebuilt.
“I feel good, feel strong, feel healthy.”
On Sept. 28, 2024, the 30-year-old suffered a serious knee injury when he attempted to make a catch over the middle of the field against the Ottawa Redblacks. He underwent surgery on his partially torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and fully torn lateral collateral ligament (LCL).
Bane — who also tore his ACL in college — underwent months of rehab and recovery from the sideline as his team opened training camp and began the season without him on the field.
“It was brutal, man. It was so brutal,” said the 5-foot-11, 170-pound Florida native. “The last time I hurt my leg was in 2016 and I only had to watch my team go through the playoffs.
“We had three weeks and then we won the championship. So I didn’t have to watch them for a long time. But this is a whole different mindset of missing camp (and) missing the (start of the) season.”
Instead of being placed on the six-game injured list to start the year, Bane was put on the one-game injured list which allowed him to be available to practice at any time with the team.
After doing individual drills on the sideline during practice for the first four weeks of the season, Bane returned to the field with his teammates in limited fashion in Week 6 before being fully cleared last week.
Since then, he’s enjoyed two productive weeks of practice, although he hasn’t ran reps with the starting offence yet.
“The last little bit (of recovery) was more mental than anything,” said Bane. “But I think today really solidified the 100 per cent for me.
“The final decision is up to the doctors, but I ran a full practice, full routes, stopping on a dime, feeling good.”
Pending return
After signing in Saskatchewan in 2023 following two years with the Calgary Stampeders, Bane made 93 receptions for 1,104 yards and four touchdowns that year before recording 49 catches for 591 yards and five touchdowns in 14 games in 2024 prior to his injury.
With three American receivers off to strong starts this season in KeeSean Johnson, Dohnte Meyers and Joe Robustelli, there may have to be a tricky roster decision when it comes to Bane’s return to the lineup.
“Potentially,” said Roughriders head coach Corey Mace. “We’ll always look to see what the best matchup is for us.
“Like I said from training camp, we feel really good about the receiver depth, and certainly Shawn is a part of that.
“We’ll see how it lines up. Obviously wouldn’t be shocked if he’s making plays like he did in his entire career at some point in the season, and when that time comes, he’ll be ready.”
For Bane, while he said he’s let the coaches know he’s ready to go, he also understands the decision on his return is out of his hands and he can only control what he does.
“I can’t complain about the process,” said Bane. “There’s a point in your preparation where you’re like, ‘Yeah, I’m ready.’ And so that was that text to coach — I’m ready.”
So what more can he do to get back into the lineup?
“Just stay the course,” said Bane. “Hopefully the coaches still know what I can do.
“But you know, pretty much get in where I fit in until we can establish the spot all over again.
“Again, just staying on my details, staying healthy and just staying available. And so when my number is called, make a play.”
Adversity tested
As he continued to gain strength in his knee during his recovery, the biggest hurdle over the last few weeks has been on the mental side.
This week, Bane said the strength and mobility in his knee is back to where it should be, as is his mindset.
“The strength is there. The confidence is there,” said Bane. “The mental aspect was the last part to get over.
“But I think now I’m not even thinking about my knee running around. I’m thinking about how to align the DB to get open.”
However, that doesn’t mean there weren’t setbacks and doubts over the past nine months.
“There were a ton of doubts where I just was like, ‘I don’t know if I’m going to come back,’” said Bane. “Like, I should be ready now, but it doesn’t feel like I’m ready now.
“It was a ton of doubt, but it was more so you’ve got to talk to yourself versus listen to yourself.
“So like, ‘You are ready, Shawn. You can do this.’ That’s the mental aspect that was the last 15 per cent. I was like 80, 85 per cent but that mental was what really got me (to 100).
“It’s been a long nine months, almost 10 months, but I’m still thankful for the entire journey, because again it’s just I’m like Shawn Bane 2.0 now.
“I feel better. I feel more energized. I feel more alert. I feel like I’m learning a ton just watching other guys and watching other defences and everything.”
He’s also learned a lot about himself along the way.
“I learned that I wasn’t as patient as I thought,” said Bane. “I had to truly work on my patience.
“And just with anything. Like football as well, but just like relationships. Just understanding how to talk to people, my tone, and just certain things where it’s not in your control.”
Since coming to Saskatchewan in 2023, Bane has tried to bring his infectious positive energy to the stadium each and every day.
That didn’t change during his recovery, as challenging as it may have been.
“You have to leave the extra baggage at the door when you come to work,” said Bane. “I’ve been the energy guy for definitely the receiver group, but just the team as a whole.
“And so I’m having to remain that — exactly that. Just because there’s some adversity doesn’t mean I can’t be the same energy guy.
“So I’d say I have been that. And so hopefully when they call my number, I can be the spark on the field as well and get us more dubs.”
Despite the adversity he faced, that positivity has been noticed — and missed — by his head coach.
“That’s one thing personally I missed with Shawn (not practicing fully),” said Mace. “Just his energy to start practice.
“And him being completely dialled in on all the meetings regardless … He knows what everybody’s doing. He knows all the answers.
“Just a great pro; a great man.”
