Collaros trade ‘bittersweet’ for Riders’ Fajardo

An illegal hit to quarterback Zach Collaros changed the trajectories of two careers.

Collaros suffered a concussion after absorbing a headshot from Hamilton Tiger-Cats linebacker Simoni Lawrence in a CFL game on June 13. Collaros has been on the six-game injured list since that hit.

The injury to Collaros opened the door for Cody Fajardo to take over and prove he had what it takes to lead the Saskatchewan Roughriders’ offence.

“It has been a roller-coaster of emotions,” Fajardo said after Wednesday’s practice at Mosaic Stadium. “I’ve just tried to stay even-keeled.

“I’ve been trying to take the page out of Ricky Ray’s book — stay even-keeled no matter what is going on around you.”

Fajardo has excelled with the opportunity, completing 98 of 129 attempts for 1,326 yards, seven touchdowns and four interceptions during five starts.

He’s to make his sixth start against the visiting Tiger-Cats on Thursday. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m.

Fajardo’s play allowed the Roughriders to put an end to the Collaros experiment Wednesday, when they shipped the 30-year-old quarterback to the Toronto Argonauts for a conditional fourth-round pick in the 2020 draft. It could become a second-round pick if certain playing conditions are met.

Collaros joined the Roughriders in January of 2018 after being acquired from Hamilton. He played 14 games for the Roughriders in 2018, completing 234 of 382 pass attempts for 2,999 yards with nine touchdowns and 13 interceptions.

“Anytime (front-office personnel) make a big move like (Wednesday’s trade), it shows they have trust in me,” Fajardo said. “My whole career I’ve been fighting for a franchise to have trust me in. (The Roughriders) have shown it for me and I just want to go out there and play hard for them.”

Fajardo said he was told about the trade by offensive co-ordinator Stephen McAdoo just before heading out onto the field for Wednesday’s practice. Fajardo said it was bittersweet to get the news.

“Zach has helped me tremendously over these last six weeks and he has been there for me, breaking down tape,” Fajardo said. “I would ask Zach to look for tendencies I have … (Collaros) would have a sheet in my locker ready for me to read over.

“He’s a team-first guy and he’s very smart.”

But now the keys to the franchise are in the hands of Fajardo.

Head coach Craig Dickenson said he knew Fajardo was ready to be the starter after his second start, a 37-10 win over the Argos on July 1.

“I started to think, ‘This guy has got some moxie to him,’ ” Dickenson said. “The other thing I liked was the way he approaches practice; I like the way he prepares. That convinces me every bit as much as his game performance.

“I think he has done enough to show he can be a starter and he’s going to get a chance to be a starter here.”

Dickenson said Collaros had a lot of bad luck during his time with the Green and White.

“(Collaros) did everything in his power to prepare to play this year. He was in great shape mentally and physically,” Dickenson said. “We sure appreciated his work ethic; he was nothing but a pro around here. He came to work every day and worked his tail off.

“Sometimes things don’t work out the way you hope and I think that’s the case in this situation.”

Rookie Isaac Harker and Bryan Bennett are the other two quarterbacks on the roster. Neither has started a CFL game in their careers.

Receiver Naaman Roosevelt was sad to see Collaros go. Their lockers were right beside each other and the two played each other twice in high school.

“We’ve definitely talked a lot and I know he’s feeling down but is also excited to go home,” Roosevelt said, referring to the fact that Collaros now makes his home in the Toronto area.

“I’m happy for him and just want to make sure that he’s feeling good and feeling OK. I’m just worried about his health. As long as he’s OK and feels fine and is willing to play again, that’s all I’m worried about.”

Roosevelt said the two have talked a lot about Collaros’ injury history.

“I told him whatever he wants to do is on him, but he needs to think about his future,” Roosevelt said. “You have a long life to live so just think about that.

“I just told him I’m always praying for him. I told him to just take care of himself, that’s the main thing.”

Notes: Defensive lineman Charbel Dabire, whom the Roughriders selected in the fifth round (44th overall) of the 2019 draft, is to make his first appearance on the active roster Thursday. National linebacker Brandyn Bartlett (undisclosed) was put on the six-game injured list … Receiver Justin McInnis is back on the roster after missing Saturday’s game against the B.C. Lions with a hamstring injury. He takes the roster spot of receiver Mitch Picton … Kicker Brett Lauther (groin) will miss his fourth straight game. Gabriel Ferraro is to handle the kicking duties again.