Riders’ O-line overcoming injuries early in season

From the starters to the backups, members the Saskatchewan Roughriders’ offensive line all hold themselves to a high standard, which is helping them succeed even with a number of  injuries.

“We’re going to get the guys that are up ready to play and we’re going to go out and play at a high level,” offensive line coach Stephen Sorrels said after practice Tuesday at Mosaic stadium.

“(The backups) are one play away (from becoming a starter) and if they’re not training like they are a starter, they’re never going to become a starter. We prepare all our guys the same.”

The group has been dealt a variety of blows as the 2019 season has unfolded. The group has had eight different players along the line throughout the team’s first five games of the season.

Head Coach Craig Dickenson rotated between offensive tackles Thaddeus Coleman, Terran Vaughn and Takoby Cofield. Cofield (hamstring) was added to six-game injured list.

Offensive Guard Darius Bladek injured his knee in the June 13 game against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

Dakoda Shepley, a 2018 first round (fifth overall) draft pick by the Roughriders, took over a starting job in Week 2 due to the injury to Bladek.

While Dickenson said Shepley hadn’t shown he could be a starter back in Week 2, Dickenson said the guard was getting better every week.

“(The game against B.C.) was his best game all year,” Dickenson said. “He graded out higher (in that game) than he has all year.”

Perennial all-star offensive guard Brendon LaBatte has been out since training camp due to a leg injury.

Another blow was dealt to the Roughriders during the July 20 game against the B.C. Lions. Offensive guard Philip Blake broke his leg on the team’s first offensive snap of the game and was put on the six-game injured list Tuesday.

“We don’t think he will be gone for the year,” Dickenson said. “(Blake’s) a good player, he was grading out as our top lineman.”

Braden Schram was inserted into that game to take over for the injured Blake. Despite the injury to Blake, Saskatchewan never gave up a sack in the game.

Offensive line coach Stephen Sorrels said he doesn’t believe the group gets enough credit for how they’ve been able to respond to all the injuries.

“I truly believe we have the best group in the league,” Sorrels said. “What other team can go out there with four starters sitting on the sidelines and not give up any sacks and control the line of scrimmage like we did.”

The Roughriders have only given up nine sacks through six weeks, good enough for fourth-fewest in the CFL.

There is some good news health-wise for the group – Bladek could return to the lineup as early as Saturday’s rematch with the B.C. Lions. Kickoff is set for 5 p.m.

“I don’t think there’s a question in my mind about (my status),” Bladek said. “I’m going to play.”

While it’s ultimately up to the coaches, Bladek said he was glad to be back out on the field and getting work in.

“It was tough (to be on the sidelines). I love the group we’ve got,” Bladek said. “I think we can be a great unit. It sucked but I’m happy to be back now.”

Bladek was put onto the six-game injured list after spraining his MCL in his right knee in the game against Hamilton.

Bladek is no stranger to knee injuries, suffering from a torn MCL in his left knee in an Oct. 13, 2018 game against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

“It was the best worst case scenario, that’ what (the doctors) told me,” Bladek said. “I tore my MCL off the bone but the good thing about an MCL is that it can heal on his own and it didn’t come out form under the muscle so I didn’t need surgery there.

“In my right knee, it was a sprain stretching it on an unfortunate play but the great thing with MCL’s is that you don’t need surgery, you’ve just got to make sure the thing tightens right back up.”

Bladek said the group has had so much success this season because of the mindset of everyone in the locker room.

“It starts from the veterans to me to the younger guys, it all trickles down when it comes to the attitude and the demeanour to the room and what we expect of each other,” Bladek said.

“There’s a standard and if you’re not going to step up to that, then don’t come to work. I think that’s what shows on the field. We don’t want anyone getting hit, especially our guys and we take a lot of pride in that.”

Dickenson said himself and the coaching staff will watch the tape from Wednesday’s practice to determine if Bladek is ready to go for the game against B.C.

LaBatte was able to participate in drills but is still three to four weeks away from playing according to Dickenson.

Kicker Brett Lauther (groin) will be a game-time decision. If Lauther is unable to go, Gabriel Ferraro will be the team’s kicker for the third straight game.

The Green Zone pre-game show will begin at 3 p.m.