With Philip Blake ready to return from injury, we wonder: can you have too much depth on the offensive line?
Blake missed the past 12 weeks with a broken leg and Grade Three ankle sprain. He was practicing at right guard with the first team on Wednesday.
“I woke up this morning, I felt good,” says Blake. “I saw the coach and he said ‘if you’re good to go, you’re good to go.’”
It was the first time in his football career that Blake had to miss this much time with an injury, and his first surgery. One bright spot in the 12 weeks of recovery is that he was able to be back in Texas with his wife for the birth of their third child.
“Being able to go home and spend time with my newborn, that was good. (My wife) said it was a blessing in disguise that I broke my leg because I get to see my last child being born. It was good time off to be able to help her out.”
Blake says he’s ready to play. Coach Craig Dickenson agrees, though he won’t commit to any amount of playing time in Friday’s game in Vancouver.
“Can’t say if he’ll start but we’re looking at bringing him. He’s going to be probably one of the six. Based on how he’s practiced, I think he’s ready to go.”
Dickenson says they may have to rotate Blake in with one of the other guards, be it Dakoda Shepley or Dariusz Bladek. Those two began rotating at right guard when Brendon LaBatte returned to action. That gives the Riders five Canadian offensive lineman for the three starting spots.
NOTES: Micah Johnson (ankle) did not practice for a third straight day. Dickenson says the star defensive tackle could still make the trip.
Defensive tackle Zack Evans missed Wednesday’s practice with the flu. Dickenson says they still plan to bring Evans to Vancouver.
Riders practice roster defensive back Jhavonte Dean was selected in the XFL Draft. He was the sixth player selected in the defensive back portion of the draft, taken by the Seattle Dragons. Former Rider Matt Elam was selected 71st in the Open Draft by the DC Defenders.
