Quarterbacks drawing bulk of attention ahead of West Division final

Quarterbacks are the focus as the Saskatchewan Roughriders prepare for the CFL’s West Division final.

In their own backfield, the Roughriders continue to monitor the health of quarterback Cody Fajardo, who suffered an oblique injury that forced him to miss Saskatchewan’s final regular-season game.

Meanwhile, the Roughriders’ defence is preparing to try to handle the two-headed quarterback system involving Zach Collaros and Chris Streveler that the Winnipeg Blue Bombers run. Kickoff for Sunday’s game is set for 3:30 p.m.

According to Roughriders head coach Craig Dickenson, Fajardo was throwing with the team during Thursday’s closed practice.

“Cody looked all right. We had him do limited stuff but he was able to throw with the team (and) move around well,” Dickenson said following practice at Mosaic Stadium.

“We’ll look at the film to get a better idea but all signs (are) pointing (that) he’s going to be good to go.”

Dickenson admitted he didn’t see Fajardo throw a lot of different routes during the practice.

“I saw intermediate to short routes and I think he’s going to have enough in the tank to throw a deep route but we’re going to have to see how he feels,” Dickenson said. “He certainly looked like he was able to do what he needed to do to help the offence move the ball.”

Fajardo wasn’t available for interviews after Thursday’s practice but after Wednesday’s practice, Fajardo once again reiterated he will be playing in the West Final.

If the starter can’t play Sunday, the Roughriders would turn the offensive reins over to either rookie Isaac Harker or Bryan Bennett.

On defence, the Roughriders are preparing for a unique challenge.

Collaros threw for 193 yards and a touchdown while Streveler ran for 82 yards and a score as Winnipeg defeated the host Calgary Stampeders 35-14 in the West semifinal on Sunday.

“They have the two-headed monster going,” defensive co-ordinator Jason Shivers said. “We even have that package as well with Bennett when we bring him in in goal-line situations.

“We’re lucky enough we get to see those plays. We’ve seen those plays since training camp. We’ve played these guys three times and you have to look for everything. They’re going to throw the kitchen sink at us.”

Collaros will make his return to Saskatchewan to face his old team for the first time since he was traded to the Toronto Argonauts on July 31. The Argos traded Collaros to the Bombers on Oct. 9.

Roughriders defensive end Charleston Hughes is glad to see Collaros finding success after dealing with multiple injuries.

“Zach had a sad run for a little bit there. He kept getting cheap-shotted and getting hit by players that were illegal hits,” Hughes said, referring mainly to the hit Collaros absorbed that sidelined him after just three offensive plays with Saskatchewan this season.

“Now that he’s back up and throwing the ball and getting some play now, I’m happy for him.”

As the Roughriders prepare to play for a chance to make their first Grey Cup appearance since 2013, Hughes — who has been to five Grey Cups as a member of the Stampeders — said he gets to enjoy these types of moments a little more because it’s not his first time competing for a shot at the CFL’s top prize.

“At the same time I know that the opportunity doesn’t come around too often and you’ve got to really harness that opportunity (when it) comes around and you have to really embrace it,” Hughes said. “You just tell yourself this is the moment and you can’t let it go.”

Notes: Wide receiver Shaq Evans (toe) practised, according to Dickenson. The head coach said a decision still needs to be made on Evans’ status for the game … Slotback Patrick Lavoie (undisclosed) has returned to practice. Dickenson said the team is going to see how Lavoie does this week to determine if he will play. Lavoie hasn’t played all season … The Green Zone pre-game show begins Sunday at 1 p.m.