Matt Smith/CFL.ca
REGINA — Despite sitting out of the final game of the regular season with a back injury, Saskatchewan Roughriders quarterback Cody Fajardo says he’ll be on the field when his team hosts the Western Final on November 17.
“I’m feeling a lot better,” Fajardo told members of the media after the Riders defeated the Edmonton Eskimos and clinched the West Division on Saturday night.
“I’m going to be ready to go. It doesn’t matter how bad the pain is, it’s playoffs. I’m going to play through it. It doesn’t matter if I get hurt even more. I’m going to be out there with my guys until I keel over on the field.”
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Fajardo was listed No. 1 on the team’s depth chart ahead of his team’s final regular season contest, but was ruled out an hour or so before game time.
Rookie quarterback Isaac Harker got the start in Fajardo’s place and completed 23 of 28 passes for 213 yards and no touchdowns.
In his first season as a starter, Fajardo has emerged as one of the league’s top up-and-comers, throwing 18 touchdowns and just eight interceptions with 4,302 passing yards. He’s also rushed for 611 yards, adding 10 more touchdowns on the ground.
Fajardo’s quarterback rating of 105.2 is the best among qualified active starters, while his 9.1 yards per attempt ties him for first with Dane Evans and Vernon Adams Jr.
This week, Fajardo was named the Riders’ Most Outstanding Player for 2019, making him eligible for the league-wide honour this November.
The Riders now head out on a bye and await the winner of the Western Semi-Final between then Calgary Stampeders and Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
