The Saskatchewan Roughriders could have a unique look at receiver when they visit the Ottawa Redblacks on Friday night.
With injuries continuing to test the club's receiving depth, there's a realistic possibility the Green and White could dress three receivers sharing the same last name — KeeSean Johnson, Jaylen Johnson and Johnny Johnson III.
KeeSean Johnson and Jaylen Johnson have both started the Roughriders first three games of the 2026 CFL season, while Johnny Johnson III has seen his workload increase during practice this week as Saskatchewan prepares for Ottawa. For Johnny Johnson III, the increased reps haven't changed his approach.
"It's basically been the same," Johnson III said. "There are extra hours you're putting in for the opportunity that's on the way. So staying in later, getting more treatment, adding a little bit more to everything."
The former University of Oregon standout believes there's a significant difference between simply preparing for an opportunity and scrambling once one arrives.
"There is a difference," he explained. "When you're staying ready, whenever that moment comes, you fall back on the preparation. When you're getting ready, it's kind of like you're trying to catch up, and you never want to be in a catch-up state."
"You always want to be in a calm, 'I'm here' state — living in the now."
Johnson III joined the Roughriders in May after spending three seasons with the Houston Texans organization. Before turning pro, he enjoyed an impressive collegiate career at Oregon, finishing 10th in school history with 139 receptions, 1,928 yards, and 15 touchdowns.
While he has yet to make his CFL regular-season debut, the Chandler, Arizona native has enjoyed watching the Canadian game from the sidelines.
"It's an exciting game," Johnson III said. "Definitely surprising how explosive the game is. It's obviously an offensive type of game. With the two downs, there's constant drive, so it's a lot of great football and a lot of good players out there."
If all three Johnsons find themselves on the field together, it could create some entertaining moments for broadcasters and fans alike. Inside the receiver room, however, it's much simpler.
"Kee is Kee, Jay is Jay, and I'm Johnny," he laughed. "The last name thing kind of doesn't even come up."
Despite the uncertainty surrounding the depth chart, Johnson III said the mentality inside Saskatchewan's receiver room hasn't changed.
"I think the foundation has been set in the room," he said. "For us, it's just another week. Everybody's staying in their playbooks, everybody's staying ready. However the lineup goes, whoever's out there first, whatever the rotation is, we're ready for that."
Head coach Corey Mace said the injuries have created opportunities throughout the week and added that the team is encouraged by how players have responded.
"I think for the most part we got pretty good news on the injury standpoint, so we'll see how the week progresses," Mace said. "But no matter who we have to put out there, it's good for everybody to get reps."
Should his number finally be called Friday night in Ottawa, Johnson III knows exactly what it would mean.
"It'll be amazing," he said. "I'm here to play. I'm here to play ball, so it'd be great."
Whether it's Kee, Jay or Johnny making plays, Rider Nation may need to pay close attention to which Johnson is hauling in the next pass.
