Courtesy CFL.ca:

SURREY, B.C. — Quarterback Dave Dickenson answered some short-term questions when he threw a touchdown pass last week in his first CFL game in over three months.

But the larger question about Dickenson’s long-term future with the defending Grey Cup champions remains unanswered.

“I’ve decided there’s no reason to think of next year yet,” Dickenson said Thursday after the Lions worked out at their practice facility. “The key for me is to finish strong and finish injury-free. Then we can decide after that.”

Another Lion happy to get back on track is slotback Geroy Simon, who will finish with over 1,000 yards receiving for the fifth consecutive year after a slow start to the season.

“I got healthy,” Simon, last year’s CFL outstanding player, said in explaining his turnaround. “That’s what it was.

“I feel good right now. I feel like I can do all the things I’m used to doing. That’s the main key.”

Jarious Jackson is expected to start at quarterback for the Lions when they wrap up their regular season with a home game against the Calgary Stampeders on Saturday (10 p.m. ET).

On paper, it’s a nothing game for either team. B.C. already has first place in the West wrapped up with a 13-3-1 record while the third-place Stampeders (7-9-1) are looking forward to playing Saskatchewan in the West semifinal.

Dickenson, 34, showed he hadn’t lost his touch when his first pass in the win over Hamilton was a 28-yard touchdown to Jason Clermont in the third quarter.

It was his first action since suffering a concussion in a July 13 loss to Saskatchewan. The long, slow recovery had prompted speculation Dickenson may have played his last game as a Lion.

“I think that answers questions more for other guys than myself,” said Dickenson, who suffered three concussions in 21 months.

“It felt good to make some good throws. I maybe didn’t see the field as well as I wanted to.”

Coach and general manager Wally Buono said the Lions will probably need Jackson, Dickenson and Buck Pierce all playing if they hope to repeat as Grey Cup champions.

“For us to succeed over the next couple of weeks I’m not going to be shocked if all three contribute,” Buono said. “For Dave to go out and psychologically overcome, I think was a good deal. It was big for him, big for the team. I think it gives everyone a boost.”

How long Dickenson can remain healthy remains to be seen.

“I didn’t take any hits,” acknowledged Dickenson. “Until you take that big shot . . . I’m still a bit antsy. I’ve done everything I can. I feel like I’m healthy enough and I want to try and contribute.”

At five-foot-11 and 195 pounds, Dickenson isn’t a big man and has battled injuries throughout his career. But the Great Falls, Mont., native said he isn’t going to go looking for a crunching hit to prove he’s fully recovered from the post-concussion syndrome.

“I don’t need that hit,” said Dickenson, who has completed 40 of 70 passes for 570 yards, three touchdowns and three interceptions this year.

“I’m trying to play smart. You’ll take the hit to make the big throw but there’s no reason to be foolish about it and take it to test it.”

Simon’s season got off to a horrible start. Ten games into the year he had 33 catches for 449 yards. The most catches he had in a game was six and he still was looking for a 100-yard night.

The likable slotback’s problems were two fold. He was battling a variety of injuries while dealing with the Lions quarterbacking carousel of Dickenson, Pierce and Jackson.

“It was very frustrating, not seeing the ball the way I was used to and then being hurt at the same time,” said Simon, who battled hamstring, back and foot problems.

Simon finally felt back in the grove in a Sept. 9 win over Saskatchewan. He had eight receptions for 151 yards and caught the game-winning touchdown with 34 seconds remaining.

“That was the last game where I really felt pain in my back,” said Simon, who now is fourth in the league with 67 catches for 1,082 yards and four touchdowns.

Jackson, who took over as starting quarterback in an Aug. 2 game against Saskatchewan, said it took him a while to get in sync with Simon.

“Geroy was still banged up,” said Jackson. “He wasn’t full speed . I was going in and trying to get on the same page as all the guys.

“It was helpful once he got 100 per cent. We started to connect and get that chemistry between one another.”

Buono even when Simon wasn’t catching many balls early in the season it wasn’t because he’d lost his touch.

“At that time offensively we were maybe not as efficient in throwing the ball,” said Buono. “When you watch the film you saw Geroy doing his part.
“That’s behind us . You look at what lays ahead and Geroy will be part of that.”