With Fajardo’s status questionable, Riders could turn to backups

Halloween is a night of scares and treats, but Rider Nation got a fright Thursday with the status of starting quarterback Cody Fajardo now in question.

According to Saskatchewan Roughriders head coach Craig Dickenson, Fajardo pulled a muscle in his back during the CFL team’s closed practice at the University of Regina on Wednesday.

“We just want to play it safe with him,” Dickenson said after Fajardo wasn’t at Thursday’s practice inside the AffinityPlex at Evraz Place. “We’re hopeful he can play. We don’t know right now, but that’s where it’s at.”

The Roughriders can finish first in the West Division if they defeat the Edmonton Eskimos on Saturday (2 p.m., Mosaic Stadium). If Fajardo is unable to go, Dickenson said Isaac Harker and Bryan Bennett could split reps at the position.

Dickenson said he’s going to let Fajardo decide if he feels able to go.

“It’s going to be (Fajardo’s) call. If he feels fine, (he’ll play). If he feels like he won’t be effective, he won’t,” Dickenson said.

Harker has spent the season in the locker next to Fajardo and noticed Fajardo on the ground in pain during the practice.

“When your best friend on the team gets hurt, you get really concerned obviously,” Harker said. “I just hope he’s all right.”

Harker said he fully expects Fajardo to do everything he can to play in Saturday’s game.

“This is one of the toughest quarterbacks in any league, let alone the CFL,” Harker said. “If he can be back, he will be back.”

Harker has come on in relief in three games this season, completing 21 of 33 passes for 254 yards with three interceptions.

“For 22 weeks I’ve been in a routine and I’ve been sticking to the prescribed thing to prepare,” Harker said. “I’ve been preparing like I’m the starter for 22 weeks so I’m ready to roll.”

Harker said Fajardo stuck around after practice Wednesday to help the 24-year-old rookie.

“He was in the film room with me and we went over my reps because I worked with the first team (Wednesday) and he was helping me, telling me where he would go on certain plays,” Harker said.

“(It’s) an invaluable tool to have, especially coming off of getting hurt in practice. And then being willing to help that much right after speaks volumes to who he is as a person.”

Dickenson said Harker has shown many things throughout the season that indicate the rookie can step in if need be.

“He’s a super-sharp guy, he understands the offence (and) he will get the ball out of his hand. It’s just a lack of experience,” Dickenson said. “If he plays, we’re confident he will be able to play well.”

Bennett has appeared only in short-yardage situations with the Roughriders this season. He hasn’t attempted a pass but he has rushed 11 times for 56 yards and a touchdown, and also has played on special teams.

While Dickenson said he’s going to let Fajardo decide if he’s ready to go, Dickenson said the Saturday game is critical – but the Roughriders have got more important ones on the way.

“We’re still playing another game so we’re not going to do something that jeopardizes our chances in the next game,” said Dickenson, whose team already has clinched a home playoff game.

“All that being said, this is an important game. We want to win the West (and) we want to have a chance to host the West final, so we’re going to play our best guys.”

Notes: Linebacker Derrick Moncrief missed practice for a third straight day Thursday. Dickenson said Moncrief’s “just beat up. You can name a bunch of things.” … The Green Zone pre-game show begins Saturday at noon.