Long road ahead for Darian Durant after Achilles injury

The dust has settled from the Saskatchewan Roughriders’ difficult start to the regular season after losing franchise quarterback Darian Durant for the rest of the season. 

Durant ruptured his Achilles on an innocent-looking play late in the second quarter against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. 

“It’s not career ending, there’s no doubt about that. It’s season ending, that’s for sure,” said general manager Brendan Taman.

“We fully expect him to be back next year. There’s a lot of work to be done with that injury.”

A lot of work may be an understatement. Even as medical science has advanced, based on other players across all sports, it takes roughly a calendar year to recover from such an injury. 

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Taman and the Riders will again be patient again with Durant, like they were with his injured elbow. They also expected Durant to be smart with this rehab as well. 

At this point, Durant is still waiting for surgery, which could be coming in the next week or so.

“He wants to be around from what I gather. He’s still a part of our team, there’s no doubt,” said Taman.

“I’m going to use him to do a little scouting and help me out a little bit. He’ll be the most-expensive scout we’ll have in a while. We’re going to have him a part of our program, no doubt.”

While there’s a physical toll for Durant to pay in the months ahead. The mental price could be even higher when you consider that this is the second season-ending injury for Durant in as many games.

“He’s a pretty tough kid. Mentally, I know he was pretty down. I didn’t worry about that too much because I know he’s a tough individual,” said Taman.

“He’ll come back. He’ll be positive. He’ll work at it.”

The question now is what’s next for the Riders and their quarterbacks. We know Kevin Glenn will be the starter for the rest of the season. The team plans on bringing in two quarterbacks. One with a knowledge of the offensive system and a young pivot to groom a little.

One quarterback that knows the system is the player the Riders cut after the first pre-season game: Tino Sunseri.

“The system knowledge is very important. He’s definitely a guy that fits that criteria,” said Taman. 

Other injury updates

Durant was far from the only player to get injured during the loss to the Blue Bombers. 

Linebacker Shea Emry suffered a neck injury and Taman considers him doubtful for Sunday’s game against Toronto. Receiver Nic Demski injured his shoulder and is apparently improving. Defensive back Keenan MacDougall dislocated his shoulder and is out. Defensive back Marshay Green is also dealing with a knee injury. 

There is some good news on the injury front as head coach Corey Chamblin expects receiver Weston Dressler and safety Tyron Brackenridge to return this week.

“It looks as though they’ll be a go from what I’m told. Unless there’s any set backs, right now, they’re a go.”

The Riders will return to practice on Wednesday morning. 

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