REGINA — For the second consecutive season, Saskatchewan Roughriders slotback Weston Dressler has an injury on his mind as the CFL playoffs loom.
This time, the injury is not his own.
Dressler — who was sidelined for the Roughriders' final six games of 2009, including two playoff contests — paid tribute to fellow receiver Rob Bagg on Friday by wearing his injured teammate's No. 6 at practice. Bagg suffered a season-ending knee injury Oct. 17 and is awaiting surgery at home in Kingston, Ont.
"I've been trying to bring him out at least once a week since he's been gone,'' said Dressler, who is to wear his customary No. 7 for
Saskatchewan in Sunday's West Division semifinal against the visiting B.C. Lions. "I think it has some powers in it. I usually have a good practice when I put it on.''
Dressler suffered a broken right fibula and a severely sprained right ankle in the Roughriders' 13th regular-season game of 2009. In his absence, Saskatchewan secured first place in the West and advanced to the Grey Cup before losing 28-27 to the Montreal Alouettes.
"It's definitely tough watching at any point in time, but it's even harder in the playoffs,'' Dressler said Friday. "I'm just excited to have a chance to go out and help the team win.''
Dressler returned to form in 2010, catching 81 passes for 1,189 yards and six touchdowns. He missed one game with a groin injury, and was sent home from Thursday's practice due to illness. He was back on the field Friday, however, and is ready for the B.C. game — his first playoff contest since the Riders lost 33-12 to the Lions in the 2008 West semifinal.
"He was really good today,'' head coach Ken Miller said Friday when asked about Dressler. "Of course, he has been good all season. We sent him home yesterday, with him not feeling well. To have him come out today and just perform the way he did in this practice was really reassuring. I expect him to have a really good football game.''
No comments:
Post a Comment