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KeeSean Johnson was one of the biggest contributors to the Saskatchewan Roughriders in 2025.
But when it came to the biggest moment for the team last season, Johnson had to watch from the sidelines.
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The 29-year-old receiver suffered a knee injury in an Oct. 10 game against the Toronto Argonauts, forcing him to miss the CFL West Final and the Grey Cup in Winnipeg, which saw the Riders defeat the Montreal Alouettes 25-17 to claim the team’s fifth championship in its history.
“That was the first time in my life missing football due to injury,” Johnson said. “It was hard to watch, but the only thing I could do was bring the energy from the sidelines and motivate my guys.
“Now that I am able to be back out there with the guys, it’s just that much more energy I’m going to bring.”
While it was hard for Johnson to be on the sidelines, he admitted that those are the moments when you learn how to be a leader.
“When you’re not on the field necessarily going to war with your guys, just being a leader in the classroom and the meeting room – whatever we do,” said Johnson, who is now entering a third CFL season. “It’s crazy. My brother brought it to my attention that I’m on the older side of the guys in the room … it’s the first time in my career where I’m one of the older guys and being a vet in the CFL.
“Some of the younger guys are leaning on me and I’m teaching them the little things I know, just being in the game a couple of years now. I love it and I’m happy for it. I’m just ready to get going.”
On the field, the Riders will be happy to have the pass-catcher back in the lineup.
In 16 games last season, the East Palo Alto, Calif., product caught 86 passes for 1,159 yards and four touchdowns.
“He looks smooth,” Riders head coach Corey Mace said. “It’s good to see him. Certainly, we had a deep receiver room the previous year and I think you’ll find out we have another one. Having Kee in the lineup will always make us better.”
The Riders will open their season on Saturday against the B.C. Lions. Both Saskatchewan and the Lions were on byes in Week 1 of the CFL season. Kickoff for the game is set for 5 p.m. The Green Zone pregame show begins at 3 p.m.
Ahead of the game, the Riders held a padded practice on Wednesday, as the team hasn’t played a game since their final preseason contest on May 23.
“We just haven’t put pads on for a long time, it feels like,” Mace said. “Let’s just make sure we are still familiar with what that feels like. You get 12 of those a year, so it will be pretty regular for us.”
As the season gets underway, Johnson is ready to get back onto the field and get the campaign underway against the very team they beat in the CFL West Final.
“They are a good football team and we know that,” Johnson said. “It’s going to be a lot of energy and I know those guys are going to bring it, just like us.”
