THE CANADIAN PRESS
REGINA — Rob Bagg has decided to go under the knife again.
The Saskatchewan Roughriders receiver will undergo season-ending surgery to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.
“A lot of things went into the decision,” said Bagg. “The fact if you play on a knee that doesn’t have an ACL, you can cause further damage.
“While I’m not the youngest (player), I still feel that I’m fairly young and that I have some football ahead of me.”
The 27-year-old native of Kingston, Ont., missed all of last season after undergoing two operations for a torn ACL in his right knee. Bagg injured his left knee in the first quarter of Saskatchewan’s 17-1 home win over the Edmonton Eskimos on July 8.
Originally, Bagg believed he had suffered a hamstring injury until further examination revealed the true extent of the ailment.
Bagg had six catches for 69 yards in his three appearances this season, his fifth with the Riders.
“It’s extremely frustrating and I’m obviously very disappointed,” Bagg said. “I’ve done my moping and there isn’t anything left I can do but move forward.”
Baggs enjoyed his best CFL season in 2009 when he had 59 catches for 807 yards and five TDs. He was on pace to surpass his receptions and yardage marks in 2010, registering 44 catches for 688 yards and three TDs in 15 games before sustaining his first right knee injury.
Despite his latest setback, Bagg said retirement was never an option.
“It’s a little bit depressing knowing how much work is required,” said Bagg. “While there is a lot of work to be done, I know that I can do it.
“I feel that I haven’t accomplished what I feel I can in this game and I’m just not ready to stop.”
Riders head coach Corey Chamblin expects the six-foot, 192-pound Bagg back with the CFL club next season.
“Anything is possible with him and it’s not a career-ending injury,” Chamblin said. “He’s the type of guy who can work through things.
“I’m fairly positive he could make it back next year.”
