The Saskatchewan Roughriders wrapped up their final full practice of the season Friday at Princess Auto Stadium, and when the session ended, so too did the hopes that either KeeSean Johnson or Joe Robustelli would be healthy enough to suit up in Sunday’s 112th Grey Cup.
Johnson, with a knee injury, and Robustelli, with a head injury, have officially been ruled out. Mace said the energy at practice was outstanding, even with the difficult news hovering in the background.
“It was the best practice of the week,” Mace said. “It’s bad in a way because that was our last day three as a group. I think everybody senses that this is the end. Nobody wasted any reps today; it was an excellent practice.”
Johnson’s injury dates back to October 11 against Toronto, when he was shaken up late in the regular season. The veteran receiver had been a steady force all year for Saskatchewan, finishing with 86 catches for 1,159 yards and four touchdowns in 16 games. His absence leaves a significant hole in the Riders’ passing attack.
Robustelli, meanwhile, began the year as a healthy scratch before carving out a meaningful role. He played in 12 regular-season games, posting 38 receptions for 544 yards and three touchdowns. He suited up in the West Final but was forced to leave after taking an inadvertent knee to the head during a contested play. Despite pushing through the CFL’s return-to-play protocol, he was not cleared in time for the championship game.
With two key targets sidelined, the Riders will lean heavily on their depth, something they’ve relied on throughout a season defined by adversity and resilience.
The Riders will hold their walkthrough on Saturday before turning their full attention to Sunday’s showdown with the Montreal Alouettes, a game that you can hear on the 620 CKRM Cooperators Rider Broadcast Network starting at 2 p.m.
