The Saskatchewan Roughriders are heading into their vital Thanksgiving Day match up with quarterback Darian Durant's health in question.
Head Coach Ken Miller says Durant is 'day to day' with a foot injury suffered in the third quarter against the Calgary Stampeders last week.
Durant suffered the injury in the third quarter of the game and was able to play through the injury until being pulled early in the fourth quarter.
Dinwiddie is ready
If Durant is unable to play on Monday Ryan Dinwiddie will suit up at quarterback. Durant has started 54 consecutive regular season and playoff games since earning the starting job at the beginning of the 2009 season.
His back-up, Ryan Dinwiddie, took most of the first team reps on Thursday.
"It felt good for me going out there. I haven't gotten too many opportunities with those guys. I feel good. If I get the (call) I'll be ready to go."
The receivers are also confident Dinwiddie can step in and play well despite the limited opportunities he's had with the first team offense.
"Dinwiddie is a great back-up for our team. We have no lack of confidence putting him in there," explained receiver Andy Fantuz, who will play on Monday after missing two weeks with injury.
"You can't replace Darian but we're not going to take a step back having Ryan in there. He's going to do a great job."
Season on his shoulders
It's not the first time Dinwiddie will step in with a team's future on his back. As all of Saskatchewan knows, Dinwiddie suited up in the 2007 Grey Cup for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in what was his first career start.
With the Roughriders playoff fortunes riding on Monday's game, he's got know problem being the starter.
"This is almost like that, being a playoff game for us. I'm just excited to get the opportunity to go out and play. I think everybody in this league wants to play and are competitors. For me, it's just a time to go out with the boys and it's something I've been wanting for awhile."
News and Notes
Durant wasn't the only one who missed practice. Defensive tackle Dario Romero, linebacker Jerrell Freeman, defensive back Lance Frazier and defensive back Chris McKenzie all missed Thursday's workout. Frazier's hamstring injury could be major and he may miss some time. McKenzie is dealing with an illness. Freeman was held out to allow the cut on his face to heal. Romero is dealing with back problems.
The Roughriders had a mix of players rotating around the defense, including Eddie Russ and James Patrick at halfback as well as Leron Mitchell in the mix as well.
