Fajardo playing, but all three Riders QBs could get time in West final

The Saskatchewan Roughriders could be using their own multi-quarterback system in the CFL’s West Division final.

Starting quarterback Cody Fajardo continues to progress after suffering an oblique injury on Oct. 30 that kept him out of the team’s regular-season finale against the Edmonton Eskimos on Nov. 2.

Fajardo, who has participated in practice all week, threw the football once again Friday but head coach Craig Dickenson said the coaches limited Fajardo’s action.

“We didn’t ask him to do too much (Friday) but he was out here going through the motions (and) threw the ball a little bit,” Dickenson said following practice at Mosaic Stadium. “I think he’s going to be fine.”

While Dickenson said Fajardo would dress and play against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on Sunday, the head coach wouldn’t confirm the 2019 West Division’s most outstanding player would get the start. Kickoff for the game at Mosaic Stadium is set for 3:30 p.m.

The Bombers run their own multi-quarterback system with Zach Collaros and Chris Streveler splitting time behind centre.

Both Isaac Harker and Bryan Bennett received snaps with the Roughriders’ first-team offence on Friday.

“We’ve got a good group (of quarterbacks) and they’ve all done a good job of studying so we’re going to give them all reps,” Dickenson said. “This could be a game where you see all three quarterbacks.”

Harker started his first career game against the Eskimos on Nov. 2, completing 23 of 28 passes for 213 yards. While the rookie didn’t throw a touchdown pass, he also didn’t turn over the football.

Harker said he’s ready to go if he’s called upon in the playoff game.

“You just have to be able to treat it like you’re the guy starting and if you’ve got to play the second play, you’re ready. If you have to play the last play, you’re ready but you just don’t know,” Harker said earlier in the week.

While the Roughriders and Bombers have met 14 times in the post-season, this is only the fourth time the teams have met in a division final, partly due to the fact Winnipeg spent 21 seasons in the East Division.

The Roughriders won their last meeting in a division final, prevailing 27-24 in 1972. Prior to that, the Roughriders swept the best-of-three series in 1966, and Winnipeg emerged victorious by winning two of three games in the 1941 series.

Notes: Wide receiver Shaq Evans (toe) did not participate in practice. Dickenson said Evans will be a game-time decision Sunday. If Evans can’t play, Kenny Stafford or Jordan Williams-Lambert would start in his place … Slotback Patrick Lavoie (undisclosed) practised once again … The Green Zone pre-game show begins Sunday at 1 p.m.