The Saskatchewan Roughriders could get an injection into their offence this week as Chris Getzlaf looks set to make his return to the lineup on Saturday in Ottawa.
“I feel good,” said Getzlaf after Wednesday's practice. “I finally got to go out there and run over the last couple of days and it's great to get back out there with the guys and get into running shape and get ready to go.”
Getzlaf has been out of the lineup since Week 1 when he posted two catches for 42 yards, but he's returned to the field to start this week and looks on track to make his return to the lineup, even if head coach Corey Chamblin is remaining quiet about his status.
“The odds are pretty good,” said Getzlaf. “Right now I'm looking to travel and work my way back into the lineup and go out there and make plays.”
With the Riders playing back-to-back road games without returning to Saskatchewan in between, Getzlaf will be on the plane to Ottawa, even if he isn't in the lineup against the Redblacks on Saturday.
Despite feeling good in practice, whether he plays or not could come down to game time for the Riders.
“If we don't have any setbacks between now and then, he'll go,” said Chamblin. “It's really just questionable and how good does he feel leading up to the game.”
The team has been mum about what has kept Getzlaf out of the lineup and Getzlaf wouldn't reveal the injury on Wednesday, only saying that it dates back to the time he spent on the shelf during training camp. Getzlaf missed time during the preseason with a quad injury.
Getzlaf wouldn't declare himself 100 per cent back from the injury. “I'd say I'm in the 90s somewhere, so I'm feeling pretty good,” said the veteran slotback.
If Getzlaf could return to the lineup this week, it would be a big boost for the Riders' struggling passing game. Darian Durant has been struggling to build chemistry with the new crop of receivers for the Riders and having a familiar face back running routes will be huge.
Getzlaf stopped short of calling himself the offensive saviour for the green and white.
“I don't think it's one my shoulders at all,” he said. “Chemistry is one thing, I've had the longest relationship with Doubles, so you have that kind of chemistry over the years, but the young receivers have done a good job of learning the concepts and really understanding the game.”
“He's our top receiver, so it's always good to have him in,” added Chamblin. “I don't know how productive he'll be, but it will help us to have him back.”
The return of Getzlaf will take the pressure off the likes of Brett Swain, Chaz Schilens and Dan DePalma to carry the load in the passing game for the Riders. Now the team just has to wait and see if he's good to go for game time on Saturday, the Riders kickoff at 5:00pm from Ottawa.
Rider Notes... Linebacker Weldon Brown missed practice on Wednesday, but centre Dominic Picard did make his return and barring a setback should make his return to the lineup on Saturday
-- The Riders were practicing with crowd now on Wednesday to get ready for the atmosphere at TD Place in Ottawa. “They cheer, they cheer all 60 minutes, doesn't matter who's on the field they're just excited to have a team back,” said Chamblin on the crowd noise in Ottawa. “It's pretty loud, we have to be prepared for it.”
-- The team will travel to Ottawa after practice on Thursday and hit the field for a walkthrough on Friday at TD Place. They will stay in Ottawa after Saturday's game and practice on Tuesday and Wednesday before heading to Winnipeg for next Thursday's game.
Wed, Apr 24, 7:00 PM
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