Saskatchewan Roughriders tailback Wes Cates can stand, walk and run, but he can’t stand the thought of not playing in Sunday’s CFL playoff game against his former team.

“For me not to play in this game after everything that’s transpired this season, with the rivalry that’s coming with these teams, that would be terrible,” Cates said following Tuesday’s practice at the Credit Union EventPlex, his first full workout in more than three weeks because of a tender foot.

“It’s really important for me to be out there helping my teammates.”

The Roughriders play host to the Calgary Stampeders in the West semifinal. Kickoff at Mosaic Stadium is 4 p.m. The sold-out game will be televised by CBC and the winner advances to the divisional final Nov. 18 in Vancouver against the B.C. Lions.

“It’s going to be beautiful,” said Cates. “I hope the weather is terrible and the crowd is even worse.”

The Weather Network predicts a daytime temperature of 4 C with variable cloudiness, a 20-per-cent probability of precipitation and a south wind of 10 km-h. There could also be a chilly reception for Stampeders quarterback Henry Burris, who infuriated Roughriders fans when he left Saskatchewan as a free agent before the 2005 season.

Cates knows all about leaving a team, because he was dealt away from Calgary in the preseason. Needing a tailback who could also catch passes and block effectively, the Roughriders sent offensive lineman Rob Lazeo (and a conditional draft pick) to Calgary in exchange for Cates.

In 14 starts, Cates has carried 152 times for 866 yards (fourth in the CFL) and five touchdowns, plus he has caught 45 passes for 452 yards.

“He is full bore,” said Riders offensive co-ordinator Ken Miller. “He’s really bright. He has a plan. He has great acceleration and he’s strong as a bull. And technically he’s very sound, with a little hip or shoulder move that gets him space.

“When we get in a situation with two American backs, he and Corey (Holmes) really complement each other, plus they both have tremendous ability in the pass game.”

After the Roughriders lost big-play wideout Matt Dominguez with a season-ending knee injury, they regularly inserted Holmes, a tailback/returner, into their offence. Holmes has missed two games with a sore shoulder, but the split-back formation should re-appear for the playoffs.

The Roughriders could afford to rest their starters during their late-season games because, having beaten Calgary in two of three meetings this year, they had already clinched second-place and home-field advantage for the West semifinal.

“It was one of those situations where our situation wasn’t going to change,” said Cates. “So instead of going out there and doing something stupid, we were kind of playing it safe. Now we’re in the playoffs, so we’ll see how it goes.”

Cates had been relegated to backup duty with the Stampeders, behind power-back Joffrey Reynolds, but upon his arrival in Regina he quickly displaced Riders tailback Henri Childs and sparked Saskatchewan’s ground game. That made the trade initially appear to be a one-sided deal, but Lazeo has become Calgary’s starting centre and Cates has missed three games because of a lingering foot injury.

“The kind of injury it is, a sprain of the arch, nags for quite a while,” said Miller.

“We’re not 100-per-cent sure he will play Sunday. We’re still evaluating him. (Tuesday was) the first day he practised with full intensity, so I’m anxious to see how he is (today).”

The Roughriders moved indoors for Tuesday’s workout to avoid the chilly conditions, but head coach Kent Austin expected the team would resume practising outdoors today. Cates said he felt OK, but not perfect, for his first workout back.

“I wouldn’t call it full speed, just taking it easy and seeing how it goes,” said Cates. “I knew I was going to try it out. It’s something players do because nobody’s 100 per cent right now.

“I definitely wish I could be 100 per cent against Calgary, but I’m certain there are guys on their side of the ball who are feeling the same way.”