Those Saskatchewan Roughriders’ fans looking at the B-C Lions’ injury report and smacking their chops at the prospect of the Green and White facing a Leos’ team Friday without starting quarterback Mike Reilly…don’t get too excited!

B-C head coach Rick Campbell says he is very optimistic that Reilly will be ready to go Friday at Mosaic Stadium despite the fact he was not taking first team reps Wednesday due to a sore throwing arm. The Riders completed their preparation ahead of the 2021 season opener in front of a sold-out crowd…ironically with a closed practice. Veteran import offensive tackle Terran Vaughn didn’t participate due to the troublesome shoulder injury that has dogged him most of training camp. He joins a trio of Canadians on Saskatchewan’s daily injury report…receiver Justin McInnis, special teamer Jordan Reaves and U of S grad and O Lineman Mattland Riley.

Elsewhere, the Blue Bombers will be shorthanded on offence when they open their Grey Cup title defence Thursday night. Both wide receiver Darvin Adams and running back Andrew Harris will miss Winnipeg’s opening game against visiting Hamilton. Harris, the C-F-L’s leading rusher in each of the previous three seasons, was named Grey Cup Most Valuable Player in 2019. Adams had 47 receptions for 549 yards and five touchdowns during the 2019 season.