By Perry Lefko, Sportsnet.ca
The Saskatchewan Roughriders have lost a key player for the balance of the year because of an injury.
Rookie receiver Michael Washington, who has started 15 games for the Roughriders and had 15 catches for 268 yards and three touchdowns, suffered a knee injury in practice on Wednesday. Roughriders general manager Eric Tillman indicated on the team’s website that the injury is a torn patella tendon, which will require surgery and three to four months of rehab.
Washington had seven catches for 124 yards and one touchdown in his last two games. His touchdown came in last Friday’s 36-29 win over Edmonton.
It’s the second item of bad news for Washington and the Roughriders this week. On Tuesday he received a fine from the Canadian Football League for wearing an article of clothing bearing a sponsor that was not approved by the League. The team was also fined. He wore the non-approved apparel in last week’s game.
The Roughriders, who are in second place in the West Division and play host to the East Division-leading Toronto Argonauts on Saturday, have been hit by injuries throughout the season. They’ve already lost receiver Matt Dominguez to season-ending knee surgery. At one point he was leading the CFL in receiving yards.
The Roughriders played without 11 injured starters in their last game. The 11 who didn’t play were: quarterback Kerry Joseph, who is the West Division finalist for Most Outstanding Player in the CFL this year: Dominguez and fellow receiver Yo Murphy; running back Wes Cates; defensive lineman Terrell Jurineak; fullback Chris Szarka; linebackers Maurice Lloyd and Reggie Hunt; and defensive backfielders Airabin Justin, Rontarious Robinson and James Johnson.
Of the 11, only Joseph was semi-injured.
Because of their injury woes at running back, the Roughriders have signed Josh Ranek, who hasn’t played this year. He was signed and later dropped by Edmonton.
