“Bring ’Em Out” will sound better than ever for Kian Schaffer-Baker on Sunday.
Having completely recovered from hip surgery, the popular pass-catcher is poised to make his 2023 season debut against the B.C. Lions at Mosaic Stadium.
Kickoff is set for 5 p.m., just a few minutes after Schaffer-Baker and his teammates emerge from the tunnel.
“I’m already dreaming about it — thinking about it non-stop,” he said on Saturday. “I can already feel the rumble.
“I’m excited to put that helmet on and just run out of that tunnel and give everything I’ve got.”
That approach helped Schaffer-Baker lead the Roughriders in catches (68) and receiving yards (960) last season, when he was named the team’s Most Outstanding Canadian.
Remarkably, he put up those impressive numbers while dealing with a lingering hip injury that had also created some discomfort during his rookie season of 2021.
The decision to have the issue addressed surgically led to some short-term pain, as Schaffer-Baker was forced to miss the first half of this season.
But now he is back and buoyant — enthused about what he can bring to the Roughriders down the stretch.
“It’s truly a blessing, just to be able to go out there with all my brothers and continue to chase our goal of being 1-and-0 this week,” Schaffer-Baker said.
“I’m looking forward to stepping back out there on the gridiron and just having fun.”
The Roughriders’ starting quarterback is looking forward to the presence of No. 89.
“It’s fantastic,” Jake Dolegala said. “It’s really nice having him back.
“He’s so explosive. His routes are spot-on. He’s got a really good feel for what we want out of him this week and we’re super-excited to have him back.”
The excitement extends to the fact that Schaffer-Baker, principally a wideout for most of his time with the Roughriders, is listed as a slotback.
As an inside receiver, the 6-foot-4, 205-pounder would seem to be an especially inviting target — one who would also benefit from a pre-snap running start (a.k.a. the waggle).
“That definitely helps,” Schaffer-Baker said. “I think I’m a threat being in that slot. That just helps to diversify the game.
“A big part of the Canadian game is getting that waggle, so I’m excited to use that and just have fun.”
Schaffer-Baker did see some action at slotback last season, with eye-popping results.
On Aug. 19, he caught four passes for 160 yards — including an 85-yard touchdown — as the Roughriders won 23-16 in Vancouver.
“(Lining up inside) gives him more room to work, and he’s a great blocker, too, if we need him to come inside and help chip or whatever we need him to do,” Dolegala said.
“He’s willing to do it all and we’re really happy to have him back.”
SHORT SNORTS
• Roughriders middle linebacker Larry Dean is poised to play in his 100th CFL regular-season game. With 525 career defensive tackles, Dean is tied with ex-Roughrider George White for 35th on the league’s all-time list. Dean is poised to surpass Charleston Hughes and Maurice Kelly, who are tied for 33rd at 526. J.C. Sherritt, with 528 tackles, is 32nd.
- Weak-side linebacker T.J. Brunson is to make his CFL debut on Sunday. Signed by the Roughriders on May 18, he was a seventh-round selection (238th overall) of the New York Giants in the 2020 NFL Draft. As a rookie, he played in five games with the Giants, making two solo tackles and one assisted tackle.
• Quarterback Antonio Pipkin, who was acquired from the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on Aug. 13, will suit up for the Roughriders on Sunday. He is listed as third on the position chart, behind Dolegala and Shea Patterson. Pipkin is about to become the 164th quarterback to dress for the team since its inception as the Regina Rugby Club in 1910. Mason Fine, who injured a hamstring on Aug. 11 against the host Montreal Alouettes, has been placed on the six-game injured list.
