Courtesy Regina Leader Post:

Friday’s 26-16 win over the B.C. Lions was a costly one for the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

The Roughriders improved to 2-0 with the victory and grabbed sole possession of first place in the West Division. But those early accomplishments are tempered with the realization that two Roughriders may be lost for the remainder of the season after suffering broken legs.

Import slotback D.J. Flick, a 2007 West Division all-star, broke the tibia and fibula in his left leg late in the second quarter. Non-import defensive back Leron Mitchell suffered a broken right tibia during a first-quarter punt return. The tibia is the shinbone in the lower leg. The fibula is inside the calf muscle. Both players returned to Regina on Saturday on crutches.

Riders head coach Ken Miller said the players were to be moved to a Regina hospital as quickly as possible for further diagnosis and treatment.

“They are both serious injuries and I don’t know how long they will be out,” Miller said. “I do know that they will be out for a considerable time.”

The Riders return to the practice today after having Sunday off. The Riders’ next game is Saturday, 2 p.m., in Hamilton against the Tiger-Cats. Further injury updates, including one on quarterback Marcus Crandell, who injured his right hamstring in the second quarter, should be available after today’s practice.

What is known is that Flick will be missed. Not only for his offensive contributions, but for what he added to the team in the locker room.

“We always talk about how many great leaders we have on this team and he’s one of the great ones,” said Crandell, “He talks to the receivers and he tries to keep them on the same page as the quarterbacks. I know that he’s going to do the same thing while he deals with it. I know he will do his best to help the guys on the sidelines.”

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