Jones yet to confirm Collaros as starter in west semi-final

Zach Collaros has passed concussion protocol and been practicing through the week, but head coach Chris Jones has remained tight-lipped on whether the quarterback will start Sunday’s west division semi-final.

Collaros left the Roughriders last game of the regular season after a helmet-to-helmet hit by Odell Willis. The club then had a bye week to end the season.

As scheduled Wednesday, Collaros returned to practice and Jones said the quarterback had passed concussion protocol days before.

But as the Roughriders’ most important game of the season inches closer, Jones has not confirmed if Collaros will start.

“You guys place way too much emphasis on that. Again, we’re going to prepare both guys like they’re going to play and we’ll see who plays,” Jones said when asked about it on Friday.

The question was drawn largely from watching practice on Friday morning. Bridge took the majority of the reps with the offensive starters, while Collaros threw with the back-ups. On Wednesday, the reps were split much more evenly.

Thursday’s practice was closed to the public and the media.

“We’re preparing to have a professional football game and we’re trying to make sure we’ve got ample people ready to play in case of different situations,” Jones said.

The Roughriders are 10-3 with Collaros at the helm, but have won two games with Brandon Bridge behind centre. Bridge also secured the win in the Oct. 27 game against B.C. when Collaros didn’t return.

For that reason, left tackle Tacoby Cofield isn’t concerned with which of the two quarterbacks could be calling plays on Sunday.

“You get a little work sprinkled in with each quarterback, and everybody brings a little something different to the table. Best thing is just the preparation through the week and getting used to if it is a different guy … it’s getting used to knowing who’s back there with you,” he said.

Coaches are notoriously tight-lipped during the post-season — and Jones is no exception, so his lack of answers may not be surprising to some.

The club’s depth and positional chart will come out Saturday morning.