EASY DOES IT FOR FAJARDO

QB cautious after muscle injury

Cody Fajardo is being smart in his recovery from an oblique muscle injury that he suffered during a Saskatchewan Roughriders practice on Oct. 30.

The CFL team’s franchise quarterback wants to test the oblique muscle and determine where he is in terms of his recovery for Sunday’s West Division semifinal against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. The 27-year-old quarterback is trying to balance another aspect while recovering from the injury.

“I don’t know if I’m nervous (about Sunday). I just don’t want to do something dumb,” Fajardo said after Wednesday’s practice at the Affinityplex.

“I don’t want to throw a ball deep and then have something else happen. It could be another muscle, because everything down there is just clinching up and another muscle could go. I don’t think it’s smart right now to push it when I don’t have to.”

Fajardo worked with the first-team offence and threw a few short passes. Informally, he then threw approximately 15 passes of about 15 yards to receiver Shaq Evans, who is nursing an injured foot and didn’t practise on Wednesday.

“My plan has been the whole time to come out on Day 1, throw 10 to 15 yards, and progress as the week goes on and continue to throw further and further,” Fajardo said. “I just don’t want to exhaust it. Even if I feel good, I don’t want to throw 100 or 200 balls because that won’t make any sense.”

Fajardo is expected to attempt longer passes and test his recovery during Thursday’s closed practice.

“I’m anxious and excited to see how I feel after throwing (Wednesday),” Fajardo said. “Obviously I will wake up a little sore, but as the day progresses, I will get it loosened up and get it ready to go.”