Not that the Riders defense needed help after its performance in the Montreal game. But it is getting it.
They have pulled defensive end AC Leonard off the six-game injured list after one game.
“He bounced back a lot quicker than we expected,” said Head Coach Craig Dickenson. “And if he’s good to go, we’ll play him. And if not, we feel like we’ve got good depth there.”
Kicker Brett Lauther a full participant in practice. He last played in Week 3 against Toronto, making only sporadic appearances at practice since then. He’s been dealing with a groin/hip problem among other maladies.
“It happened week 1 in Hamilton and I tried to play two more games with it,” says Lauther. “It just kept getting worse and worse. It got to the point where I couldn’t do anything at all.”
“Something happened in the Toronto game and it wasn’t to do with the original thing. And I thought I could just work through it and play.”
That thing may have been an undisclosed problem with his eyes. A reporter asked Lauther pointedly: “How are your eyes?”
Lauther replied “Yeah, that was another thing I went through. It was more than you guys will ever know. My eyes are great now, kicking fine, and that’s all I really want to say about any of that.”
Lauther says he found the time on the injured list really frustrating. And that was compounded by the injuries costing him a chance to play in front of his parents.
“It was tough. I had my family out that week for the Toronto and Calgary games. So I had to sit out another game after they flew all the way from (Nova Scotia).”
“Feels pretty good to be back out here. Wouldn’t say I’m 100% or anything, but I feel like I can contribute to the team. So that’s why I’m back.”
Neither Lauther nor Coach Dickenson would say if Lauther will play on Saturday. But the Riders did move kicker Gabe Ferraro to the practice roster.
NOTE: Defensive tackle Micah Johnson remains out injured. He missed the Montreal game with an ankle problem. Makana Henry and Charbel Dabire took first-team reps at defensive tackle.