The Saskatchewan Roughriders should have all three of their top receivers back together for the Western Semi-Final, and KeeSean Johnson, Kian Schaffer-Baker, and Sam Emilus are looking to regain their early-season chemistry.
The so-called three-headed monster opened the season as a major threat before injuries disrupted their time together. A foot ailment forced Emilus to miss an Aug. 1 game in Edmonton and then Schaffer-Baker sustained a knee injury in that contest.
The only game all three played together since then was Oct. 17 against Montreal, when Johnson hauled in the winning touchdown in the final minute.
Johnson was held out of the regular-season finale against Edmonton after that performance due to an ankle injury. He said the choice to play was out of his hands.
“It was a coach’s decision, and that was something I had to take into account and stick with,” Johnson said.
Johnson was a full participant in Wednesday’s practice after getting in limited work Tuesday. All signs point toward him being available for Saturday’s big tilt against the B.C. Lions. He said he is feeling good and taking things day by day.
For Johnson, having his teammates back is about more than what they bring to the offence. He described Schaffer-Baker and Emilus as brothers, pointing to the friendships they have built away from football.
“We hang out outside the field — do a lot of things — play cards, just have fun,” he said.
While the three receivers compete for opportunities and production, Johnson said their relationship is built on mutual respect.
“We always wish well for each other and want each other to succeed in life,” he said.
That bond has also helped fuel Johnson’s game when injuries have kept one or more of his teammates out of the lineup.
“You never want to see a brother go down, but that just gives you more motivation to play for something — play for a brother that can’t be out there with you,” he said.
When the trio was healthy and playing together early in the season, Johnson credited the coaching staff, offensive line, and quarterback for helping create opportunities for all three receivers.
Saskatchewan’s offence struggled for much of its Oct. 17 matchup against Montreal before Johnson’s late touchdown secured the win. The Riders put up 329 yards of net offence, but 74 of those yards came on the game-winning drive.
With the playoffs approaching, the Riders will need more consistent production if they hope to capitalize on having their receiving group healthy and together.
