Riders quarterback Trevor Harris misses practice ahead of Lions showdown

As the Saskatchewan Roughriders returned to the field for practice, their starting quarterback was just a spectator.

Trevor Harris didn’t have a helmet and didn’t participate in any drills on day one of practice Tuesday, as the Riders prepare to take on the B.C. Lions on Saturday at Mosaic Stadium.

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“He’s dealing with a little bit of an infection and kind of played through that. He took a pretty good shot in the game so we’re just playing it kind of smart and just look at that. He’s fine. He’s one of those (guys) pushing me to (practice). He will be fine,” Riders head coach Corey Mace said.

With Harris taking a high hit in the game, Mace was asked if the 39-year-old quarterback was in concussion protocol and that’s what was keeping him out.

“We are being smart about that. He was dealing with some other stuff going on, too. It’s more just taking a look at everything. I don’t want to jump in there and say it’s true concussion protocol but we’re just being smart. We are looking at everything, no doubt,” Mace said.

On the team’s official injury report, the club said he has both an illness and head injury.

Harris admitted he was under the weather in a post-game interview following the team’s 39-32 win over the Toronto Argonauts last week. In that game, Harris completed 13 of 17 passes for 234 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions.

If he is unable to play in the game, Jake Maier is expected to be the starter, as the quarterback took the first-team reps. He signed an extension with the Riders this past off-season after the club traded for his negotiation rights from the Calgary Stampeders.

Wide receiver Sam Emilus (foot) appears to be in danger of missing another week. He was injured in the team’s win over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and missed the game against the Argos.

“It’s not long-term, which is really good, but it’s going to be tough for him again this week,” Mace said.

Wide receiver KeeSean Johnson was also away from practice due to a personal reason. Defensive back Tevaughn Campbell (back) and linebacker Melique Straker (thigh) did not participate in practice either.

One of the things the Riders will look to improve on this week is penalties. The team committed 18 infractions for 178 yards against the Argos. According to team historian Rob Vanstone, the Rider record for most penalties in a game is 24, which were committed in a 2015 game at Toronto on Aug. 8.

“Not who we want to be. I think we have been clear about that since day one. It was very chippy out there and that’s where you want to see the guys respond the right way. We did not,” Mace said.

Kickoff for Saturday’s game is set for 5 p.m. The Green Zone pregame show begins at 3 p.m.

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