Darrell Davis: Rider roster tough, but honest

Saskatchewan Roughriders boss Chris Jones told reporters that injured, all-star offensive lineman Brendon LaBatte won’t be playing Sunday’s CFL playoff game against the Ottawa Redblacks.

Bad news for LaBatte and the Roughriders — but good for Jones. He was upfront about his roster, as he usually is.

CFL coaches are often reluctant to reveal potential roster moves, particularly before playoff games.

It’s downright comical sometimes, as it is in the National Hockey League, where coaches list concussions as upper-body injuries, broken ankles as lower body injuries.

The NFL is above that, demanding its teams be honest about injuries and the status their players.

Jones learned about the CFL from his first head coach, Don Matthews.

Matthews, a Hall of Famer, was usually forthcoming about the status of his players, believing that what he revealed was far less important than how his team played.

Jones evidently believes the same thing.