Riders consider options after injury sidelines slotback Holley
The Saskatchewan Roughriders are pondering their options now that slotback Caleb Holley has been placed on the six-game injured list.
Chris Jones, the Riders’ head coach and general manager, said Wednesday that Holley’s injury isn’t season-ending, but is serious enough to warrant time on the sixgame injured list.
Holley, who has started seven of the Riders’ eight games this season, injured his right knee during Sunday’s 40-27 CFL win over the visiting Calgary Stampeders.
“We have a couple of different options,” Jones said after Wednesday ’s closed practice at Mosaic Stadium. “We have a Canadian option and an American option.”
The national options on the active roster are Devon Bailey, Rob Bagg and Brian Jones. The latter was recently acquired in a trade with the Toronto Argonauts. Former University of Regina Rams star Mitchell Picton is on the practice roster, but is unlikely to be promoted. The international options are Kyran Moore and Kenny Shaw — both of whom are on the practice roster — and possibly returner Christion Jones. Moore has been with the Riders since the preseason, but hasn’t played a game. Jones has taken some repetitions at receiver this season.
On Wednesday, the Riders announced the signing of Shaw to the practice roster. He was limited to three games with the Ottawa Redblacks in 2017 while battling injuries. His season ended Aug. 26 when he tore all three ligaments in his right knee during a 31-24 win over the B.C. Lions.
In 2016, Shaw was Toronto’s leader in catches (77) and receiving yards (1,004) and chipped in with five touchdowns.
It’s unlikely that Shaw will be activated right away, because he’ll need time to get into game shape.
“We have him on the (practice roster) trying to get him back in shape,” Jones said. “He’s not 100 per cent and he will tell you that.”
Shaw, 26, doesn’t feel that he has anything to prove while attempting his comeback.
“That’s where a lot of athletes go wrong — when they try to prove to people what they can do instead of doing it for themselves,” Shaw said. “At the end of the day, you are your own person. I had to deal with this through all nine months of rehabbing and I can get through it again.”
On Monday, the Riders acquired Brian Jones (six-foot-four, 233 pounds) from the Argos for a seventh-round selection in the 2019 CFL draft. He was added to the active roster because he can contribute immediately on special teams.
Jones, whom the Argonauts selected fourth overall in the 2016 CFL draft out of Acadia, is looking for a fresh start with the Riders.
“I learned a lot during my time in Toronto,” said Jones, 24. “I’m trying to bring everything that I learned there and apply it on the field as soon as I can.
“I’ve talked to Caleb a couple of times and he’s a really good guy. All of them are really good guys and they all took me in. I’m just here to do my job and I want to contribute in any way that I can.”
NOTES: Quarterback Zach Collaros missed practice Wednesday while dealing with an ailing grandfather in his hometown of Steubenville, Ohio. He’s expected back on Thursday … Tailback Marcus Thigpen is doubtful for Saturday ’s game against the host B.C. Lions due to an undisclosed injury. It’s expected that Cameron Marshall will be activated from the practice roster to replace Thigpen.
That’s where a lot of athletes go wrong — when they try to prove to people what they can do instead of doing it for themselves.