KeeSean Johnson is on the cusp of Saskatchewan Roughriders history.
Only four players have recorded a 100-reception season while wearing green and white. Johnson has four games left on the schedule and needs just five catches to join Don Narcisse (123 grabs in 1995), Joey Walters (102 in 1981), Craig Ellis (102 in 1985), and Curtis Marsh (102 in 2000) in the century club.
“That’s something that’s going to be a great accomplishment,” Johnson said Monday. “I hope to hit that goal.”
The third-year Rider is corralling 6.78 of quarterback Trevor Harris’ throws per game, which has him on pace to finish with 122 catches – right behind Narcisse’s team record. It’ll likely come down to the wire.
What is more important to Johnson, though, is when he makes the catches rather than the amount.
Making an important reception on second down to move the chains matters greatly to him.
“Being someone that your quarterback can lean on, I take pride in that,” he said. “If we need a play and the ball comes my way, I’m going to try to make it the best of the ability that I can.”
The Riders have relied heavily on Johnson this season amid a plethora of injuries to members of the receiving corps. His 95 snags put him second in the CFL behind Montreal’s Tyson Philpot’s 108.
Johnson, Sam Emilus, and Kian Schaffer-Baker were being described as a three-headed monster earlier in the season. That didn’t last long, though.
Emilus was a late scratch for an Aug. 1 game in Edmonton because of a foot problem, and Schaffer-Baker sustained a knee injury midway through that same contest. Emilus returned later that month against B.C. but hurt his leg late in that game and has been sidelined since.
Emilus has missed seven of the last eight games, whereas Schaffer-Baker sat out six straight before returning for last Friday’s 31-24 loss in Vancouver.
Not only that, but the Riders have had to deal with other receivers being out of commission. The last examples are rookie Daniel Wiebe and Shemar Bridges, someone signed last month to backfill because of the injuries.
Through it all, Johnson has been a staple in the lineup. The 31-year-old from Mountain View, Calif., has appeared in all 14 games so far.
“Reliability and availability, it’s crucial,” Riders coach Corey Mace said. “How you take care of your body when you’re not on the field, how you prep, all those things are very important in being a professional. Kee’s been able to be out there for us.”
Slowly but surely, the receiving corps is getting healthier. In addition to Schaffer-Baker getting back in the lineup, Wiebe (head) was a limited participant in Monday’s practice. Mace also said Emilus is getting closer to being back on the field. He hasn’t been part of a full team practice since his latest injury.
Schaffer-Baker’s presence has already benefited Johnson. He had four and five catches in the back-to-back games against Winnipeg earlier this month as the Blue Bombers keyed in on him. He vaulted up to nine receptions – and 119 yards – against B.C. as the Lions had to keep a close eye on KSB, too.
“It’s always good to have a guy back like Kian,” Johnson said. “We can’t wait to have our full group back. That’s something that we look forward to every day.”
The Riders will be counting on Johnson when they host the Calgary Stampeders on Friday. It could be a historic night for him. Heck, he might get to triple digits before halftime.
That would be a nice feat for Johnson. But his primary focus is helping his team put more points on the board.
The Riders have lost two straight games. They failed score a touchdown against Winnipeg in the Labour Day rematch and were 2-for-5 in the red zone against B.C.
“We’ve got to emphasize getting in the end zone and scoring more touchdowns,” Johnson said.
