Labatte ruled out for Sunday’s playoff game

His injury wasn’t as bad as originally thought, but Brendon LaBatte won’t quite be ready for this Sunday’s eastern final against the Argos.

LaBatte was carted off the field during the final game of the season against the Edmonton Eskimos, but the injury turned out not to be as serious as originally thought.

LaBatte wouldn’t comment on the nature of his injury, only to say that nothing was completely torn or ruptured.

But after three days of practice, head coach Chris Jones ruled LaBatte out.

“He’s getting a little bit better but I’ve got to play the healthiest ballplayer,” Jones said after Friday’s practice at Carleton University.

Like last week against the Redblacks, Derek Dennis will get the nod in Labatte’s place.

Jones also ruled out running backs Cameron Marshall and Trent Richardson in favour of Marcus Thigpen who ran for 169 yards and a touchdown in last weekend semi-final.

“He’s extremely explosive and his very versatile and he can be a returner and on top of that he’s a very good person,” Jones said.

The Roughriders travel to Toronto Friday ahead of Sunday’s game against the Argonauts. The team will hold walk thru at BMO Field on Saturday morning starting at 11:30 a.m. EST.