Courtesy Regina Leader Post:

If you were to use a baseball analogy, Marc Parenteau would be the utility man of the Saskatchewan Roughriders’ offensive line.

Capable of playing all five positions, Parenteau has suddenly found himself pinch hitting from the most unlikely spot in the lineup — centre. That position belongs to all-star Jeremy O’Day, who has historically been the most-durable player on the Riders’ O-line.

O’Day hasn’t missed a game since 2005, but that streak is in jeopardy after he suffered an ankle sprain during Monday’s practice at Mosaic Stadium. At the very least, Parenteau is expected to start the Riders’ preseason opener on Friday against the visiting B.C. Lions.

“I knew I was going to get a lot of playing time either way in the preseason,” offered the veteran backup. “I’m just getting bumped up to the first line, which is always nice to work with those guys. I worked with them last year so we’re all on the same page. They’re comfortable with me. The only thing is, (guard Mike) Abou-(Mechrek) is mad that he won’t be the best-looking offensive lineman (in the starting lineup), so he’ll have to deal with that.”

At the time of O’Day’s injury, head coach Ken Miller suggested the veteran would miss about seven to 14 days. However, Miller is now saying that prognosis might be “optimistic.”

“Ten days to two weeks is maybe a more accurate evaluation — and it could go a little bit beyond that,” said Miller, whose team opens the regular season on June 28 against the visiting Edmonton Eskimos. “He’s walking around without crutches today. If anybody can get ready in a short amount of time, he has the mental toughness to be able to do that.”

If not, Parenteau is eager to show what he can do.

“You get paid to play football, that’s the beauty of it,” said the 27-year-old native of Sherbrooke, Que. “Every time we take the field, even if I’m not starting, I’m looking forward to somehow getting in there whether it be as a tight end or as a substitute for one of those (starting) guys. This is what I love to do. I’m just waiting. It’s only my fourth year. I’m still a young guy. I’m playing really well and I’m Canadian so I think I have a lot of things going for me. I just have to keep pushing those guys in front of me and see what happens.”

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