Saskatchewan Roughriders head coach Corey Mace did not rule KeeSean Johnson out for Monday’s matchup with the Montreal Alouettes. This was even after the team’s leading receiver missed Thursday’s practice with an ankle injury. “I don’t know, we’ll see,” the coach told reporters after the team’s practice Thursday. “This week might be a little tough. We’re expecting him to get back but not ruling out anything, it just might be close.” Mace added it could be a potential game-time decision, at best. Johnson left last Friday’s loss to Calgary in the third quarter, favouring his left leg after a tackle by Stampeders’ linebacker Marquel Lee. At practice Thursday, the receiver was on the field in a hoodie but did not participate in any drills. “He’s walking around, not in a boot or anything like that so it’s good news,” Mace said. Still the prognosis is better than originally believed. “When I talk to him during the game, I didn’t feel like he was anything crazy,” added Mace. “And then, just as we get more and more information on it, kind of fell in line with what I was thinking. But even something that’s maybe not generally a long-term issue, just where we’re at in the season, can become long-term.” Prior to his injury, Johnson reached a major milestone, recording his 100th reception of the season. He became just the fifth player in Saskatchewan Roughriders history to record 100 catches in a single season, joining Joey Walters (102 in 1982), Craig Ellis (102 in 1985), Curtis Marsh (102 in 2000) and Don Narcisse (123 in 1995). Reaching the mark in his 15th game of the season, Johnson becomes the fastest Rider to reach 100 catches. Earlier this year, the third-year receiver reached 1,000 yards receiving for a second-straight season. After Friday’s game, Johnson has 101 catches for 1,243 yards - both career highs. Johnson is on pace for 121 catches this season – which would be good enough for second most in a single season for a Saskatchewan receiver. “KeeSean Johnson is an all-star receiver in this league,” quarterback Trevor Harris said. “The fact he’s the second most targeted receiver in the league – and maybe the most if you’ve played the second half of that game – he’s got over 100 catches, 1,200 yards and done a tremendous job for us.” Johnson leads the Riders in all major receiving categories; including receiving yards, targets (147), catches, touchdowns receptions (seven), yards after catch (313), and second down conversions (35). “That’s what we expect from KeeSean, especially when you get Sam [Emilus] and [Kian Schaffer-Baker] out for most of the season,” added Harris. “We’re going to lean into him but, if he does miss time, we’ve got confidence in the guys in there.” Shemar Bridges practiced in Johnson’s wideout position for the Riders’ first day of practice this week. In two games in 2026, the mid-season signing has three receptions on eight targets for 23 yards – including two catches in Week 13 against Toronto when he played just days after arriving in Saskatchewan. “He’s did a tremendous job,” Harris said about Bridges. “You can tell he’s starting his legs underneath him. You [can] see the explosiveness coming out.” Harris also continued to be complimentary of the supporting cast at receiver. “[Daniel] Wiebe is making a name for himself; Dhel [Duncan-Busby] has stepped up a ton; so has Johnny [Johnson],” he said. “Shemar, if he does have to step in, and the guy who needs no introduction is Kian.” Mace also hinted more reinforcements may be on the way in the coming weeks. “Sam’s very close,” he told reporters Thursday. “I definitely expect Sam back.” Emilus has spent the past six weeks on the injured list after sustaining an injury in Week 12 against the Lions – the first game he played after missing the previous two games with a separate injury. Saskatchewan’s Week 19 matchup with the Als will be the sixth game of Emilus’ latest stint on the six-game injured list.
