By Ian Hamilton, Leader-PostSeptember 22, 2009
REGINA — Rey Williams must have incredible powers of persuasion.
REGINA — Rey Williams must have incredible powers of persuasion.
For the past two weeks, the Saskatchewan Roughriders linebacker has been trying to prove to the CFL team's coaching staff that he has recovered from the torn medial collateral ligament he suffered in his right knee on Aug. 11.
He may have gotten his wish. On Tuesday, head coach Ken Miller suggested that Williams would be taken off the nine-game injured list early. He's expected to play Saturday against the host Edmonton Eskimos.
"We'll do our roster Thursday, but the early lead would be that he is going to be on the roster and see significant time, particularly on special teams," Miller said.
Williams was put on the nine-game list after injuring his knee against the B.C. Lions. By taking him off after just five games, the Roughriders must count all of his salary — including the pay he received during the weeks he was out — against their salary cap.
Williams told the Leader-Post on Sept. 11 that he felt he was ready to return and that he didn't come to Canada to sit and watch. He repeated those comments to reporters Monday.
"I'm ready, fellas," he said. "Been ready. I'm just waiting for the green light and that's all. I've been ready for a couple of weeks now. I'm ready to go."
"I'm ready, fellas," he said. "Been ready. I'm just waiting for the green light and that's all. I've been ready for a couple of weeks now. I'm ready to go."
Miller was asked if Williams has been knocking on his door in the hopes of getting back in the lineup.
"Only for a couple of weeks," Miller replied with a chuckle. "Really, when we explained to him the importance of not rushing it, then he was a little bit more peaceful about it. But he has been anxious to go and this is about the right timing for him and us, I think."
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Slotback Jason Clermont is also expected to return to the roster Saturday.
Miller said it was "likely" that Clermont will be activated; he was a healthy scratch in each of the past two games.
Miller said it was "likely" that Clermont will be activated; he was a healthy scratch in each of the past two games.
Clermont could take the roster spot of fullback Neal Hughes, who is expected to miss the game due to a pulled quadriceps muscle he suffered in Sunday's 31-27 loss to the visiting Eskimos.
Defensive end Luc Mullinder didn't practise Tuesday due to an ankle injury, but Miller said he expected Mullinder to return to action today.
Defensive end Luc Mullinder didn't practise Tuesday due to an ankle injury, but Miller said he expected Mullinder to return to action today.
Cornerback Donovan Alexander, who didn't play Sunday because of a tender hamstring, was practising Tuesday. That allowed Tad Kornegay — who played corner against the Eskimos — to return to his "quarter" linebacker spot.
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The Roughriders have been accused of being too conservative in the latter stages of Sunday's loss, but Miller defended the team Tuesday.
"I think we did a variety of things," he said. "I don't think it was nearly as vanilla as you've been led to believe."
Leading 27-24, Saskatchewan called two running plays on its second-last possession and lost six yards. The Roughriders had to punt the ball to Edmonton, which went 88 yards in three plays for the winning touchdown.
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Two Lions earned player-of-the-week honours Tuesday.
Defensive back Korey Banks was named the top defensive player for recording five tackles, two interceptions and one knockdown in B.C.'s 23-17 victory over the Toronto Argonauts. Defensive end Ricky Foley, who had three sacks and seven tackles, was named the top Canadian.
Hamilton Tiger-Cats slotback Arland Bruce III (offence; six catches for 105 yards and two TDs) and Montreal Alouettes kicker Damon Duval (special teams; 5-for-5 on field-goal tries) also were honoured.
Two Lions earned player-of-the-week honours Tuesday.
Defensive back Korey Banks was named the top defensive player for recording five tackles, two interceptions and one knockdown in B.C.'s 23-17 victory over the Toronto Argonauts. Defensive end Ricky Foley, who had three sacks and seven tackles, was named the top Canadian.
Hamilton Tiger-Cats slotback Arland Bruce III (offence; six catches for 105 yards and two TDs) and Montreal Alouettes kicker Damon Duval (special teams; 5-for-5 on field-goal tries) also were honoured.
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