Riders’ Daniel Johnson shows off athleticism with catch vs. Lions

Daniel Johnson showed off another talent this past week for the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

Johnson, who has played tight end since Grade 8, caught a pass in the team’s 30-16 loss to the B.C. Lions. Not only did the offensive tackle haul in the pass from the wide receiver spot, but he evaded a would-be tackler to tack on a few more yards in the process.

But at the time, Johnson admits he was on autopilot.

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“I see the ball coming and my mind goes blank. I kind of don’t remember what happened. It was just get the ball and be an athlete,” Johnson said.

“I’m not thinking I’m getting the ball. I’m thinking of running my route full speed. Good thing I ran it full speed because the ball came right now. It was awesome.”

While he didn’t remember the play in the moment, he saw it on video after the game.

“It was a good experience to finally get the ball again. I don’t think I’ve caught a ball like that since the first year of college, so it’s awesome,” Johnson said.

BIG MAN CAN MOVE! 😮‍💨

Daniel Johnson doing it all for the Riders!

🗓️: Roughriders vs. Lions LIVE NOW
📺: TSN and CFL+#CFLGameDay pic.twitter.com/Cd9rGE6Dvb

— CFL (@CFL) August 24, 2026

Riders head coach Corey Mace was happy Johnson got the opportunity to make that kind of play.

“It was pretty cool. We had planned and practised that throughout the week. Didn’t honestly think that would come to fruition, so the fact it did, it made me chuckle on the sideline,” Mace said. “He was way more athletic than I thought. It was pretty sweet.”

Mace admitted a play like that can energise a team during a game.

“Certainly, big boys are always going to be excited. I think everybody thought it was pretty cool. It can be a momentum play, no doubt. Do we want to live in those kinds of things? I don’t think so, but it was a good moment for the team.”

Saskatchewan will try to bounce back after back-to-back losses that have seen the team commit uncharacteristic mistakes and penalties over this stretch.

“We just have to keep attacking the process and go 1-0 each week and have fun. We just have to go out there and have fun and remember why we do this and why we are away from our families because we want to be together, we want to win and just play football,” Johnson said.

The Riders are back on the field on Saturday as they host the Toronto Argonauts at Mosaic Stadium. Kickoff is set for 5 p.m. The Green Zone pregame show begins at 3 p.m.

Saskatchewan will be without wide receivers Sam Emilus (leg) and Johnny Johnson III (head) in the contest, as they have been ruled out. It likely means Shemar Bridges will make his Riders debut this week after signing with the team on Tuesday.

Fullback Albert Awachie (ankle) was also ruled out.

Safety Jaxon Ford, who was downgraded to a non-participant for Thursday’s practice with an ankle injury, is listed as questionable. Nelson Lokombo is expected to start at safety as the team looks to make personnel changes after the latest loss.

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