Courtesy Regina Leader Post:

Tailback Wes Cates and slotback D.J. Flick flew to Vancouver with the Saskatchewan Roughriders on Friday, hoping despite their injuries to play in Sunday’s West final against Jason Jimenez and the B.C. Lions.

Cates has received medical clearance to play despite a hairline fracture in his left foot, while Flick should be OK after being forced to leave Friday’s practice with a “tweaked” knee, according to Roughriders general manager Eric Tillman.

Jimenez will be in B.C.’s lineup after having a one-game suspension overturned by an arbitrator. Jimenez was disciplined for an illegal, leg-breaking block on Calgary Stampeders defensive lineman Anthony Gargiulo, but the suspension was stayed until a hearing slated for after the Nov. 25 Grey Cup. That means Jimenez won’t possibly be punished until 2008.

Tillman, who won’t be travelling to Vancouver for the playoff game because of his own recent health scare, was asked for his reaction to the Jimenez announcement.

“It’s a matter that’s best for the league to speak to,” said Tillman. “It’s tragic what happened to Anthony Gargiulo, but beyond that this is best left up to the league, the union, the Lions and the Stampeders.”

Jimenez is the second CFL player this season to have his case taken to an independent arbitrator; Edmonton Eskimos linebacker A.J. Gass also had a suspension overturned. Tillman was asked if the arbitration process had to be fixed between the CFL and CFL Players’ Association.

“That’s a relevant issue,” Tillman said. “But in all these matters it’s best if the league speaks with one voice, that being the commissioner, Mark Cohon.”

Tillman spent Thursday night in a Regina hospital with what was originally feared to be a heart attack, he said. After doctors determined it was a lesser medical problem, Tillman chuckled at the circumstances.

“I had every type of medical device known to man connected to me when people realized (Riders head coach Kent Austin) was there with me,” said Tillman, who was released Friday morning. “They poked their noses in and asked, ‘Coach, how’s the game going to go this weekend?’ Never mind how I was doing. Isn’t that something?”

Cates also visited with doctors recently. According to Tillman, after the Roughriders medical staff gave Cates clearance to play he sought out another, independent opinion.

“There was zero pressure from us,” said Tillman. “Our commitment to the long-term well-being of our players is well-documented. Wes does have a hairline fracture, but the ligaments around the bone are so strong that the bone is not displaced. There’s a possibility he will play.”

Cates has missed four games with the injury. Flick, who led the Roughriders with 10 touchdown catches, suffered an injury that forced him to leave the field during Friday’s practice.

“He tweaked a knee,” said Tillman. “D.J. felt OK, but we know that flying isn’t always good for injuries. We think he’s going to be OK.

“They might be game-time decisions,”’ said Tillman. “They are on our 46-man roster. We have up until one hour before kickoff to declare our (42-man) active roster.”

Fullback Chris Szarka, who has missed four games because of sliced fingers, is also expected to play.