Riders’ Collaros injured in win over Lions

REGINA — The Saskatchewan Roughriders clinched a home playoff berth for the first time in five years, but whether or no they’ll have quarterback Zach Collaros for the post-season remains to be seen.

Saskatchewan earned homefield advantage in the playoffs thanks to a 35-16 Canadian Football League win over the visiting B.C. Lions on Saturday. It was a dominant defensive effort by the Roughriders, but one that their starting quarterback watched from the locker-room for the final three quarters of the game.

Collaros was on the receiving end of a hard hit to the head from Lions defensive end Odell Willis, late in the first quarter. Collaros delivered a pass on the run just before a charging Willis knocked him to the turf.

“He took a good shot. It was a headgear-to-headgear shot and for precautionary reasons our trainers thought it was best to take him out of the football game,” said Riders head coach Chris Jones.

Brandon Bridge and David Watford split time under centre for the remainder of the contest.

The win also bumped Saskatchewan (12-6) into a tie with the Calgary Stampeders (12-5) for first place in the West Division. The Lions, having already clinched a playoff berth, are 9-8 and will cross over to the East Division for the post-season.

The Riders have a bye next week, while Calgary will visit the Lions in the final week of the regular season.