FANTUZ IN AND CLERMONT OUT

By Murray McCormick, Leader-PostSeptember 11, 2009


REGINA — Andy Fantuz is in and Jason Clermont is out at slotback for the Banjo Bowl against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

The Saskatchewan Roughriders won't officially announce the roster move until Saturday but Clermont posted Friday on Twitter that he was a healthy scratch for Sunday's CFL game in Winnipeg. Riders head coach Ken Miller suggested after Friday's practice that something may be happening with the veteran Canadian slotback.

Miller declined to answer questions about Clermont's status until sorting out the 46-player roster for Sunday's game with general manager Eric Tillman and director of football administration Brendan Taman. The Riders did that Friday afternoon and Clermont posted the Tweet around 2 p.m.

Clermont, who did not return a message left Friday, has been nursing a bruise to his left quadriceps muscle that occurred in Sunday's 29-14 victory over the Blue Bombers. Miller said Friday that Clermont's injury was still tender.

Fantuz, meanwhile, returns to the active roster after missing five games with a torn left hamstring.

"It's feeling pretty good but it's still tight,'' Fantuz said when asked about his injured hamstring. "I'm not going to hold back at all because I'm confident in the way that it has recovered. I'm going to give it my all and if something does happen, I will play it by ear.''

Fantuz's return allows the Riders to sit Clermont for at least one game. He has 17 receptions for 215 yards in nine games but a source with the Riders said that the 31-year-old Clermont could use some rest.

"It's not that we're unhappy with Jason by any sense,'' said the source. "Players want to play every game and so does Jason. He's older but he has a contusion and his body is beat up. Andy didn't play last week and he's been flying around this week. Jason should be fine next week. It's an opportunity for Andy to play now that he's healthy and a chance for Jason to get back to 100 per cent.''

It's also believed that defensive back Chris McKenzie will be left off the active roster because of an injured hamstring. McKenzie's spot will likely be filled by Denatay Heard.

mmccormick@leaderpost.canwest.com