Hickson ready to roll as Riders’ lead running back

Frankie Hickson is ready to carry the load for the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

Running back Jamal Morrow has a broken hand and will be out for the next six to eight weeks.

“I was one of the first ones to know because we’re roommates and he told me,” Hickson said. “I was just surprised because he didn’t show any signs of it. He’s so strong, he’s so tough and determined that it didn’t show out there at all that he was injured.”

In Morrow’s absence, Hickson will handle starting running back duties for the first time in his career.

“All you can do is take care of what you can control and for right now that means taking advantage of the reps I can get,” the 25-year-old said. “I just want to get a good view on what B.C. is going to do to us and get a good game plan.

“We’re Mario and Luigi. He’s keeping me calm and asking me some questions on what did I see today and try to keep in touch with the team still. He’s trying to keep sharpening his iron as well as mine.”

Hickson’s first start will come in the Roughriders’ third game against the B.C. Lions this season. The Lions won the first two meetings, 32-17 on July 29 and 28-10 last Friday.

Kickoff for Friday’s game is set for 8:30 p.m. The Green Zone pre-game show begins at 6:30 p.m.

Despite mostly being in a backup role, Hickson is 10th in the league with 234 yards rushing this season. Morrow leads the way with 564 yards.

Due to a bevy of injuries in the receiver room — Mitch Picton (ankle), Justin McInnis (ankle), Duke Williams (hip) and Shaq Evans (ankle) are out — Sam Emilus will once again be put into a starting role. The 24-year-old has appeared in nine games but has only been listed as the starter in three so far.

The Roughriders’ 2022 first-round pick has caught six passes for 125 yards so far.

“There’s been a lot of up and down during the season but we’re trying to get back on the right track and it starts Friday in B.C.,” Emilus said. “Every time I step on the field, it’s about progress and (I have to) show what I improved on from last week.”

In his young career, Emilus has been learning a lot from Kian Schaffer-Baker, often staying late after practice with the second-year receiver to continue to get some work in.

“I’m trying to see what he sees and I’m telling him the same thing I’m seeing on the field,” Emilus said. “Over time, we just built that relationship.”

The receiving corps will get back one of their veterans with Kyran Moore on the roster. Moore hasn’t played since Oct. 30 when he suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament against the Montreal Alouettes.