Riders’ receiving corps recovering
REGINA — The Saskatchewan Roughriders receiving corps might be whole again for the Sunday’s West Division final.
Head coach Corey Chamblin said that slotback Chris Getzlaf would start practising Wednesday when the Riders begin their on-field preparations for the CFL playoff game at McMahon Stadium against the Calgary Stampeders. Getzlaf, who led the Riders with 1,047 receiving yards during the regular season, hasn’t played since suffering a sprained right knee early in the third quarter of a 29-25 loss to the host Stampeders on Oct. 26.
“If guys can practise on Day 1, Day 2 and Day 3, they have a better chance of playing,” said Chamblin, adding that Getzlaf’s status was dayto-day. “It gives you a better assessment of the guys when you can see them on all three days.”
Eron Riley filled in for Getzlaf in a 29-25 win over the B.C. Lions in the West Division semifinal. Riley also played in the regular-season finale, a 30-26 loss to the visiting Edmonton Eskimos on Nov. 2. On Sunday, Riley had three receptions for 14 yards. Getzlaf was one of three Riders receivers to surpass 1,000 yards this season. Weston Dressler was second on the Riders with 1,011 receiving yards and a team-leading nine touchdown receptions.
Taj Smith was third with 1,007 receiving yards on a team-best 78 receptions, eight more than Dressler. Getzlaf, who had 63 receptions, and Smith were tied with seven touchdown catches each. Getzlaf and Dressler were both named West Division all-stars. Chamblin didn’t have an update on defensive tackle Tearrius George, who suffered an undisclosed injury late in Sunday’s game. Chamblin said George was to meet with team doctors Tuesday. The Riders may have an update after Tuesday’s practice.