Micah Johnson could soon rejoin dominant Riders defence

Saskatchewan Roughriders defensive lineman Micah Johnson is ready to get back out onto the gridiron.

Johnson has been on the shelf for the Roughriders’ past two CFL games while dealing with a high ankle sprain.

“I’m feeling good, feeling a lot better,” Johnson said after practice at Mosaic Stadium. “I’m just happy to be back out there with the guys.”

Johnson was one of the Roughriders’ premier free-agent acquisitions this off-season, having finished second in the league with 14 sacks while with the Calgary Stampeders in 2018.

He suffered the ankle injury against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in Saskatchewan’s 24-19 win on Aug. 1.

“It was tough (watching the games),” Johnson said. “I thought I’d be able to bounce back pretty quick but not as fast as I wanted to. It took a turn for the better this past week and I’ve kind of been pushing through it. It felt great (Thursday).”

He could suit up for the Labour Day Classic against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on Sunday if the coaching staff feels he’s healthy enough to go. Kickoff for the game at Mosaic Stadium is set for 1 p.m.

If Johnson plays, he’ll rejoin a defence that has returned to its dominant form over the past four games. The defence hasn’t given up more than 20 points since the B.C. Lions scored 25 on July 20.

The defence has also forced eight turnovers in its past three games. Five of those turnovers (three interceptions and two fumble recoveries) came in a 40-18 win over the Ottawa Redblacks on Saturday.

“It definitely makes being away easier when the team’s doing a great job,” Johnson said. “I’m so happy and so proud watching (the defence) ball. I just want to come out and be a part of it.”

While Johnson has yet to record a sack in 2019, he has been a physical force for the Roughriders in the middle of the defensive line, drawing double teams from opposing offensive lines.

“He’s a big, strong dude. He’s hungry to get back out there,” Roughriders head coach Craig Dickenson said. “I’m not sure he’s all the way back and I’ve told (Johnson) we’re not going to put a guy back there unless he’s 100 per cent — but he’s close.”

Dickenson noted members of the team have also been pushing the coaching staff to let Johnson suit up for the game against the Blue Bombers.

“It has been interesting,” Dickenson said. “We’ll play him when he’s ready.”

The defence will need to stop a Winnipeg offence that will be without two of its main cogs.

Quarterback Matt Nichols (undisclosed) and running back Andrew Harris (suspension) will both miss the game. Chris Streveler is to make his second straight start as the Bombers’ starting quarterback. Winnipeg won his last start 34-28 over the Edmonton Eskimos last weekend.

This will be the first Labour Day Classic that Johnson will participate in at Mosaic Stadium. He said he can feel the energy in the entire province.

“It’s a different feel. Everybody’s geared up for it and I’m just excited to be a part of it,” Johnson said. “I know it’s going to be a sold-out house. It’s going to be the loudest stadium in the country. It’s going to be fun.”

Notes: Roughriders slotback Cory Watson missed Friday’s practice due to an illness, but Dickenson said Watson should be good to go for the game. Rookie Justin McInnis was running routes with the starters during Friday’s practice … The Green Zone pre-game show gets underway Sunday at 11 a.m.