‘Felt awesome’: Riders’ Shawn Bane Jr. back on the gameday roster

Shawn Bane Jr. had to be patient to get back into the Saskatchewan Roughriders’ lineup.

The 30-year-old wide receiver suffered a serious leg injury last September in a game against the Ottawa Redblacks. Bane said that despite the seriousness of the injury, he was confident he would be able to make it back.

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“It’s like breaking yourself down and building yourself back up,” Bane said. “That’s what it was – and being ready for when my time was called.”

In his CFL career, Bane has caught 166 passes for 2,073 yards and 11 touchdowns.

In last week’s loss to the Edmonton Elks, Bane was finally able to get back onto the active roster for the first time since his injury.

“It felt so good. I needed that. I needed the tackles to get my vision right, get my sticking right. I wasn’t even thinking about my knee. It felt awesome,” said Bane, who was primarily used as a returner against Edmonton.

He will suit up for a second straight game on Friday as the Riders take on the Redblacks in Ottawa. Kickoff for the game is set for 5:30 p.m. The Green Zone‘s pregame show begins at 3:30 p.m.

Bane said he felt he was ready to be back out there for the Labour Day Classic, but said it was important for him to continue to be a good teammate while he was waiting.

“I feel like I am an energy ball for the locker room. Usually when I am down, you can see it, especially in the receiver room. You have to be a pro. That’s just part of it. Even when it’s not going your way, to show up to work and be yourself,” Bane said.

The Riders have lost two games in a row for the first time this season, and have dropped to 10-4.

But Saskatchewan will get another boost back to its offence this week as Kian Schaffer-Baker will make his first start since the first week of the season. Schaffer-Baker adds a different dynamic to an offence that has been among the league’s best for most of the season. He has 2,688 yards and 14 touchdowns in his career.

Campbell Fair will make his CFL debut as the kicker comes onto the Riders’ roster for Brett Lauther, who is out with a back injury. Lauther has struggled this season, only hitting on 68.9 per cent of his field goal attempts.

Defensive back Marcus Sayles is listed as a game-time decision, after he missed both days of practice this week.

Saskatchewan released safety Kosi Onyeka this week, so C.J. Reavis will move from his SAM linebacker spot to the position. Antoine Brooks Jr. will start at linebacker in his place.

Also, offensive lineman Philippe Gagnon will start at left guard. He has missed most of the season due to a torn bicep but returned last week as the team’s sixth offensive lineman.