GOOD CHANCE SIMPSON WON'T PLAY ON SUNDAY

By Murray McCormick, Leader-Post November 12, 2010 REGINA —

The Saskatchewan Roughriders are prepared to go ahead without middle linebacker Barrin Simpson on their active roster for Sunday's West Division semifinal.

Whether that takes place when the Riders play host to the B.C. Lions at Mosaic Stadium remains to be seen. Simpson is recovering from an ankle injury that he suffered in last Saturday's 31-23 victory over the visiting Edmonton Eskimos.

He vowed after the game that he would play against his former team, but his repetitions in practice this week were limited by the injury. Simpson didn't take part in Friday's practice.

"I don't know exactly where we are with him right now,'' Riders head coach Ken Miller said Friday. "We might have an idea (Sunday) but we probably won't have an idea until game time.''

The loss of Simpson would be a blow to the Riders' defence. Simpson, who spent time with the Lions and Winnipeg Blue Bombers over this 10-year CFL career, led the CFL with 105 defensive tackles. He's also recognized as one of the leaders on defence.

Mike McCullough, who has filled in during Simpson's absence, isn't writing him off yet.

"I wouldn't say, 'No Simpson yet, wink, wink,' '' McCullough said with a laugh. "Barrin has been with us for a while and I think he might pull a rabbit out of his hat. I think we'll be fine with what we have. It's a system, so we can just plug guys in there.''

The Riders could face the Lions with three starting linebackers on the sidelines. Strong-side linebacker Sean Lucas (elbow) and weak-side linebacker Daniel Francis (turf toe) are both unlikely to play. Tad Kornegay is expected to fill in for Lucas. Jerrell Freeman and Byron Bullock will likely split Francis's responsibilities.

"We played well without (Simpson) last week and I also have a lot confidence in Mike McCullough,'' Miller said. "What it does complicate is when we go to special-personnel packages. Generally he's on the field all of the time, so we have to make some adjustments when we use our passing-downs personnel.''

Meanwhile, approximately 60 people were on hand Friday to assist in removing snow from the Mosaic Stadium grandstands. Also assisting in the removal were the football teams from Balfour and Luther. The facility should be cleared of the snow by Sunday's kickoff.

mmccormick@leaderpost.comRead more: +