Jones hopeful Bagg will play in Saturday’s home opener
Receiver hopes wonky ankle won’t keep him off the field in new Mosaic Stadium
Saskatchewan Roughriders receivers Rob Bagg and Duron Carter have their own reasons for looking forward to Saturday’s regularseason home-opener against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Bagg simply wants to play in the first CFL regular-season game at Mosaic Stadium after being sidelined by an injured left ankle since June 10.
Carter wants to prove that he’s a playmaker after being held to two receptions for 12 yards in the Riders’ season-opening 17-16 loss to the host Montreal Alouettes on June 22.
Regardless, Carter knows that he’ll be on the active roster Saturday. Bagg’s status is uncertain.
“I definitely want to play,’’ said Bagg, who was on the one-game injured list for the loss to the Alouettes. “The coaches are just trying to be smart and helping me make the right decision. If I’m 100 per cent, I’ll be out there. If not, we’ll see what happens.”
Chris Jones, the Riders’ head coach and general manager, was “optimistic” on Wednesday about Bagg playing. Jones understands why Bagg wants to be on the field.
“He’s a guy who has been a lifelong Rider and to open a new stadium … sure he wants to play,’’ Jones said. “We just have to make sure that he’s healthy before we put him on the field.”
Carter was looking to make an impact in his regular-season debut with the Riders. It happened that his first game with the Riders was against the Alouettes, who released him late in the 2016 season.
On June 22, Carter was the target of nine pass attempts. He dropped one and two others were knocked down by Montreal’s Jonathon Mincy.
“Some of the things just didn’t go my way,’’ said Carter, who signed with the Riders as a free agent during the off-season. “I could have played a little bit differently going into the game, but I can’t think about it right now. I have to think about Winnipeg.”
Carter is among the league’s most dynamic and explosive receivers. He wants to show he can be that with the Riders.
“I definitely want to do that because the last game wasn’t my best showing,” said Carter, who has 187 receptions for 2,889 yards and 17 touchdowns in three-plus CFL seasons. “Coming out early and doing something big is really what I want to do.”
The 32-year-old Bagg would also like an opportunity to do something big this season. Those plans have been on hold since Bagg injured his ankle during a 25-25 preseason tie with the Blue Bombers.
“It’s tough because it was just one of those things and it was a football play,” Bagg said. “I came into training camp feeling great and my body was holding up great. (My ankle) got rolled up on during the game. It wasn’t something that I could train any differently to prevent and now I’m missing time over it. It’s frustrating and I’m just doing everything that I can to get healthy.”
Nic Demski started in Bagg ’s absence against the Alouettes and recorded career-highs in receptions (seven) and receiving yards (87). There was some speculation that Demski should continue to start, even if Bagg is healthy.
It may be early for that kind of talk. Demski is a third-year receiver who is still finding his way in the CFL. Bagg is a well-respected veteran of 10 seasons with the Riders.
“I have a great relationship with Rob and I really consider him my mentor,’’ Demski said. “If it’s working under him or with him or working ahead of him, I’m game for whatever it is. I will take my role on this team and I’m going to ride with it.”
NOTES: On Wednesday, the Riders added international receiver Joseph Morgan to their practice roster. Morgan, 29, played 21 regular-season games with the NFL’s New Orleans Saints between 2012-15 and caught 14 passes for 471 yards and three touchdowns. After a stint with the Baltimore Ravens, Morgan spent the latter portion of the 2016 season on the Toronto Argonauts practice roster ... Saskatchewan offensive lineman Thaddeus Coleman and receiver Naaman Roosevelt were both fined undisclosed amounts Wednesday by the CFL for their actions on June 22. Coleman was fined for a dangerous block on Montreal defensive lineman John Bowman. Roosevelt was fined for a crackback block on Alouettes defensive back Dondre Wright.