Durant’s status remains uncertain
For the third straight CFL season, the Saskatchewan Roughriders are pondering another stretch without franchise quarterback Darian Durant on the active roster.
It’s unknown if the sprained left ankle that Durant suffered in Saturday’s 40-27 loss to the visiting B.C. Lions will sideline the 33-yearold quarterback for significant time. The Riders are to resume practising Tuesday after having Sunday and Monday off.
Durant said after the Riders’ third consecutive loss to open the 2016 season that X-rays were negative for broken bones. The fact Durant was able to put weight on the injured ankle is an indication the sprain may not be too severe. Depending on the severity of the sprain, it could take two to eight weeks for Durant to regain full mobility.
A positive aspect is the sprained ankle isn’t as serious as the season-ending injuries that Durant suffered in 2014 and 2015. Durant has missed most of the last season and a half with a torn tendon in his right elbow (2014) and a ruptured left Achilles tendon (2015). He had started all three games this season.
The Riders are to be on the field Tuesday for the first time since Saturday’s defeat in preparation for Friday’s home game against the Ottawa Redblacks. Chris Jones, the Riders’ head coach and general manager, didn’t plan on rushing Durant back from the latest injury.
“We’re not going to put him out there in a situation where he can potentially get worse,’’ Jones said. “I’ll be smart and I will protect Darian.’’
Mitchell Gale replaced Durant after the marquee quarterback suffered the second-quarter injury. It’s expected that Gale, who only joined the Riders on July 2, would start while Durant was on the sideline. G.J. Kinne was third on the depth chart for Saturday ’s game. Jake Waters was on the 46-man roster, but was scratched before kickoff.
Gale had mixed results considering it was his first-ever extended CFL regular-season action. He was primarily a backup and used in short-yardage situations during his four seasons with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and Toronto Argonauts. The Riders acquired Gale and offensive lineman Matt Sewell (who is on the suspended list) for defensive end Shawn Lemon and a conditional selection in the 2018 CFL draft on July 2.
Prior to Saturday’s game, Gale had dressed for 33 regular-season games and had completed nine of 21 pass attempts for 100 yards and two touchdowns. Gale had also rushed for 91 yards with a touchdown on 33 carries.
Against the Lions, Gale completed 17 of 30 passes for 247 yards and a touchdown. He had three carries for 15 yards and was tackled three times for losses.
Gale, a graduate of Abilene Christian University in 2012, completed eight of nine passes for 137 yards with a nine-yard touchdown pass to Nic Demski in the second quarter of Saturday’s game. The Riders led 23-10 at the halftime break.
Saskatchewan struggled offensively in the second half. Gale completed just one pass for eight yards in the third quarter en route to finishing the second half with nine completions in 21 pass attempts for 110 yards.
Gale, 26, is a pocket passer who showed a strong arm and an ability to make his reads. He will be expected to improve on what he did in Saturday against the Redblacks.
“Obviously Darian puts us in a great position,’’ said Riders veteran receiver Rob Bagg. “Mitchell has done a great job and I expect him to be better (against the Redblacks). If each man does their job, we’re a good football team. We can’t just wait for Darian to come back. We have to win now and if everyone does their job, we have the capability to do that.’’ Notes: Justin Dunk of 3downation. com reported Monday that receiver Kris Bastien has re-signed with the Riders. Bastien was a thirdround selection (26th overall) in the 2014 CFL draft by the Riders. He spent the 2014 season on the practice roster and was traded to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers for receiver Cory Watson in January of 2015. Bastien had 10 receptions for 126 yards in 10 games with Winnipeg in 2015. It’s expected that Bastien will replace receiver Shamawd Chambers, who was also injured in Saturday’s loss … There weren’t any updates on Riders guard Brendon LaBatte, receiver John Chiles, running back Matt Walker and defensive back Justin Cox on Monday. The aforementioned players were all injured Saturday.