Next man up: Riders put Blake on six-game injured list

One of the Saskatchewan Roughriders’ prized free-agent signings — and an expected stabilizing force along the offensive line — will be out for a while.

The CFL team officially announced that offensive lineman Philip Blake (pectoral muscle) has been placed on the six-game injured list ahead of the Riders’ regular-season opener against the host Edmonton Elks on Sunday. Kickoff for the game is set for 5 p.m.

Blake was one of the Riders’ Day 1 free-agent signings this off-season. As a player who can play any position along the line, the Roughriders were looking for him to help improve their pass protection after the team gave up 77 sacks in 2022.

“You can’t replace a guy like Philip Blake,” said centre Peter Godber, who was also one of the Riders’ pickups in free agency. “I looked up to that guy; he’s a Toronto legend. He has played in almost 100 starts in the CFL, he’s an NFL draft pick — the list of his accolades goes on.

“He’s still a leader no matter if he is playing or not playing so we don’t feel like we’re missing out on his leadership, but everyone has to step up when a guy like that goes down and that’s what we plan on doing.”

Godber will man the middle in Sunday’s game, with returning Riders Evan Johnson and Logan Ferland as the guards and newcomers Eric Lofton and Brandon Council as the tackles.

Godber — another free-agent signing in the off-season — played in 18 games as the B.C. Lions’ starting centre last season. Johnson started in all 18 games for Saskatchewan last season, while Ferland made 16 starts for the Riders in 2022.

Lofton played in four games with the Ottawa Redblacks over the 2017 and ’18 seasons, appeared in two games with the Elks in the 2019 campaign, and started one game last season with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

While most of the offensive line have played in CFL games before, Council is to make his first start in the Canadian game Sunday.

Council was named the Auburn University Tigers’ offensive lineman of the year in 2022 and attended New York Jets mini-camp prior to joining the Green and White.

“It’s next man up. I’m excited, I am ready. It’s pro ball and anything can happen,” Council said. “I’m ready to get my time to shine and I am ready to go play hard with the unit.”

Some of the veterans in the group have offered the 26-year-old some advice.

“They say, ‘Just stay calm, be poised and do what you do best — play ball,’ ” Council said.

While the offensive line was one of the most-criticized parts of the team last year, Ferland isn’t dwelling on the past.

“Last year is last year; we are in the present now,” he said. “It’s very exciting. It’s a new year, we’re in the present and (we’re) just really looking forward to continue building chemistry with these guys.”

Notes: Slotback Brayden Lenius (lower back) was also placed on the six-game injured list. Regina product Mitch Picton will start in his place for the game … Quarterback Jake Dolegala was placed on the one-game injured list, meaning Mason Fine and Shea Patterson will back up starter Trevor Harris.