The Saskatchewan Roughriders are hoping for the best for receiver Shawn Bane Jr.
Bane Jr. was hit in the right knee by Redblacks’ defensive back Money Hunter while trying to catch a pass in the Riders 29-16 win over Ottawa during Week 17. He was helped off the field, checked in the medical tent, carted to the locker room and returned to the sideline on crutches wearing a brace on his knee.
“It’s not looking the greatest, but it’s at the point of I think we might have dodged a few bullets. I’m hoping it’s not the case that everybody would think it is, but imminent return — no,” head coach Corey Mace said.
The 29-year-old has made 49 receptions for 581 yards and five touchdowns in 11 games this season. The five-foot-one, 178-pound pass catcher played in all 18 regular season games last year, recording 93 catches for 1,104 yards and four majors. Through 45 CFL games with Saskatchewan and Calgary, he’s produced 166 grabs for 2,073 yards with 11 touchdowns, averaging 12.5 yards per catch.
Second-year receiver Jerreth Sterns was in Bane Jr.’s spot with the starting offence at practice in preparation for the team’s match up with the Elks on Saturday. Sterns has played in nine games this season, registering 25 receptions for 324 yards.
Saskatchewan travels to Edmonton to take on the Elks on Saturday at Commonwealth Stadium. Countdown to Kick-off begins with Justin Dunk and Wes Cates at 2 p.m. Luc Mullinder and I will join at 4 p.m. with the kick-off to follow at 5 p.m. on the Co-operators Roughrider Radio Network.
