‘I’m ready to play’: Pete Robertson set to return to Riders’ defence

Pete Robertson could be a much-needed spark for the Saskatchewan Roughriders’ defence.

The defensive end is set to return to the CFL team’s lineup against the Edmonton Elks on Saturday after being out of action since suffering an injured foot in a 28-13 win over the Ottawa Redblacks on July 8.

This Saturday’s game is set to begin at 8 p.m. The Green Zone pre-game show begins at 6 p.m.

“I’m ready to play. I don’t really have too much to say,” the 29-year-old said. “(The injury) looked pretty serious, but when I was born and I was made, I was made in Texas so I’ll be all right.”

The play which Robertson was injured on has been the subject of debate, with Ottawa offensive lineman Dino Boyd being fined for a late hit on the Riders’ defender.

“I don’t blame him,” Robertson said. “I would do the same thing if I was playing against me as well.”

Despite missing three games due to the injury, Robertson is tied with Redblacks defensive end Lorenzo Mauldin for the CFL lead with seven sacks.

The Riders have been on a three-game slide since that Redblacks game. Not only did the unit lose Robertson, but defensive tackle Garrett Marino has been serving a suspension since then (the final game of his suspension is Saturday’s contest in Edmonton) and defensive end A.C. Leonard hasn’t suited up since then due to a shoulder/neck injury.

Over the past three games without the three pass-rushers, the Riders are averaging 1.66 sacks per game and they’re giving up 402.66 yards and 31 points per game. Before that, the team averaged 4.6 sacks, 292.4 yards against and 19.8 points against per game.

“When you’re missing a lot of key elements, it throws you in a tailspin and we want guys to step up and contribute. But along the way, we have to continue to get after the quarterback no matter who is out there rushing the passer,” defensive co-ordinator Jason Shivers said.

The recent defensive struggles made the bye week a less-relaxing affair for Shivers than others.

“It’s hard to enjoy the bye week when you’re on a three-game losing streak,” Shivers said.

The defence’s woes of late also have been tough for Robertson to watch while being sidelined.

“I know the ability we have from the coaching staff and the team in general. We have a lot of guys down, not just myself. We’re waiting for those other guys to get back,” Robertson said. “Hopefully I get out there this weekend and make things happen.”

Notes: Centre Dan Clark (ankle/leg) was limited for the second straight practice … Slotback Mitch Picton (ankle) was held out of practice. Head coach Craig Dickenson said Picton’s high ankle sprain hasn’t been healing like the team had hoped and the coaches will see if he can practise Thursday … Slotback Jake Harty (shoulder) was at practice and is set to return to the roster this week … Dickenson showed up at practice Wednesday having shaved off the goatee he has sported for years. “I told the players when we left (for the bye week) that we were going to get a fresh start,” he said, “so this is kind of my way of showing that I too was going to have a fresh start.”

A freshly shaven #Riders head coach Craig Dickenson says he wanted to send a message to the team that it was time for a fresh start coming out of the bye week. #CFL pic.twitter.com/VzJPxjj0oU

— Britton Gray (@BrittonGray) August 10, 2022