The Saskatchewan Roughriders had two quarterbacks with some experience on the field at practice on Thursday. Unfortunately one of them was Offensive Coordinator Jason Maas and he will not be on the field suiting up the green and the white against the Toronto Argonauts.
Jake Dolegala was the lone Rider Quarterback who practiced. With Cody Fajardo nursing a knee injury and Mason Fine being in COVID protocol, Dolegala took all of the the starter’s reps at practice.
Riders Head Coach Craig Dickenson initially indicated during his media availability on Thursday that Dolegala would be the starting quarterback against Toronto when he mentioned that he was expecting either Fajardo or Fine to be the #2 quarterback on Sunday.
“He’s done everything we asked for him throughout camp and all through the first six games, he’s a studious player he’s got some skills, he’s a very talented player, he’s getting a chance, we could play Mason or Cody as well, and I don’t mean to sound vague, but it’s the truth, we got all three of them if we want them, Dolegala is getting the majority of the reps this week because he hasn’t gotten a lot of reps.”
Following that statement Dickenson backtracked and said that it could be Dolegala starting on Sunday but that could change on Friday.
If it’s Dolegala who gets the start against the Argos, the Riders Head Coach said there won’t be much adjustments to the playbook, saying that former Central Connecticut QB is a smart player and capable of running the offence.
Being the lone quarterback on the field on Thursday was a new experience for the 25 year old4.
“Usually you get at least one or two guys with you, no matter where you are, it was unique today.”
Dolegala has adapted the classic backup quarterback mentality heading into Sunday’s game preparing as he will be the starter.
With the Riders COVID situation throughout the last week, Dolegala said it has been a crazy week.
The quarterback has not seen regular season action since leaving college. After being undrafted in the 2019 NFL draft, he signed with the Cincinnati Bengals. Dolegala was one of the Bengals final cuts that year. Afterwards he had a pair of stints with both the New England Patriots and the Green Bay Packers. He also had a stint with the Miami Dolphins. Maas had plenty of time to coach Dolegala individually at practice since he was the only healthy quarterback at practice. The offensive coordinator is a strong teacher according to the Riders QB.
“He’s the O.C., he’s the quarterbacks coach, keeping me calm getting through plays, going through progressions, he’s a good guy to have in my corner.”
On the Riders injury report, Fajardo was listed out due to an illness/knee, but Dickenson said the nagging knee injury was the reason he was not at practice. The Riders coach said that Fajardo’s knee was about 70% but also Dickenson sounded more optimistic about the Riders starting quarterback playing this weekend than he did when he was asked about Fajardo’s status on Monday’s edition of the SportsCage.
While it maybe a mystery who will start at QB for the Riders om Sunday, the case of when the game will be played appears to have been solved.
Countdown to Kickoff will begin things on Sunday at 2:00. Followed up by the opening kickoff is 5:00.
