‘A dose of reality:’ Riders react to CFL COVID news from bye week

While the Saskatchewan Roughriders’ players and coaches enjoyed a bye week, the rest of the CFL was busy dealing with COVID-19.

The Edmonton Elks dealt with an outbreak, with 13 players testing positive for the virus. That led to the rescheduling of the Elks’ game against the Toronto Argonauts.

All nine CFL clubs announced during the week they will be implementing some form of vaccine requirement or proof of a negative test for fans to enter stadiums.

“What happened with Edmonton is unfortunate and a real shot of cold water and a dose of reality for all of us. We all know that could happen to any team in the league,” Roughriders head coach Craig Dickenson said Wednesday after the team’s first practice after its bye.

He said the team is right around the 85 per cent vaccination threshold brought in by the CFL when it comes to determining if a team’s players will miss out on paycheques if a game is cancelled.

Dickenson said he believes the players who aren’t vaccinated have “dug their heels into the sand.”

“Right now, the CFL is hitting them in the pocketbooks saying if they don’t have a vaccine, they can’t travel and they won’t be able to play in a game and if they don’t play in a game, they won’t get paid,” Dickenson said.

“There’s a chance they may not play in games come later in the season when we’re travelling and if they aren’t playing in games, as a player, their value to the team is less.”

During the bye week, Riders quarterback Cody Fajardo elected to stay in the Queen City for the week and get a headstart on preparing for Sunday’s Labour Day Classic against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Kickoff for that game is set for 4 p.m.

“I think guys have done a tremendous job here being smart with what their decisions have been outside of football. Guys were really smart going home because everyone came back to practice today and no one had a positive test,” Fajardo said.

The Elks released guard Jacob Ruby on Tuesday because he lied about his vaccination status. Dickenson said the Roughriders are trusting their players are telling the truth when it comes to their status.

“We’ve trusted them up to this point. I do believe we will have to see proof of vaccination and our medical people will figure out what that is — whether it’s a card or picture that shows you’re vaccinated,” Dickenson said. “If there’s not honesty, it’s hard to work with people.”

And while more than 33,000 people are expected to attend the Labour Day Classic, it will be the last game at Mosaic Stadium that fans can attend without proof of vaccination or a negative test. The Riders’ entry policy will come into effect for the Sept. 17 game against the Argonauts.

Fajardo said fan engagement could be a bit better due to this.

“Maybe you can high-five a couple fans because you know everyone is vaccinated or doesn’t have COVID. When you have those questions, I always feel like the bad guy who can’t high-five a little kid who has his hands out,” Fajardo said.

“We always love when our fans show up and we’ve been waiting to give them some love so hopefully that can return in the next couple weeks.”

Notes: Defensive lineman Micah Johnson (ankle) didn’t participate in Wednesday’s practice. Slotback Jordan Williams-Lambert (head) left practice early to visit a specialist. Dickenson is hopeful both will play on Sunday.