Courtesy Regina Leader Post:

Quarterback Darian Durant could make his first ever CFL start in the Saskatchewan Roughriders’ next game, an unpredictable scenario the CFL team anticipated when veteran Kerry Joseph was traded away in the off-season.

Joseph’s departure left the Roughriders with a veteran starter, Marcus Crandell — who is sidelined with a pulled right hamstring — and two unproven backups in Durant and Steven Jyles. It’s a far cry from their West-rival Edmonton Eskimos, who have veteran starter Ricky Ray and Jason Maas as a veteran backup, or the Calgary Stampeders with their proven tandem of Henry Burris and Dave Dickenson. Although Crandell’s status has been updated and he might be able to dress for Saturday’s game against the hometown Hamilton Tiger-Cats, Durant has been given the starting assignment.

“This is key for their development,” Roughriders head coach Ken Miller said following Monday’s workout at Mosaic Stadium.

“If we’re able to continue it and be successful, it will be great experience for them.”

Crandell suffered his injury during the first quarter of Friday’s 26-16 victory over the B.C. Lions. Crandell didn’t practice Monday, but Riders general manager Eric Tillman said later the 34-year-old quarterback is “feeling great and responding well to treatment for a high hamstring pull, which isn’t as serious as we first thought. It’s possible he could dress (Saturday).” Crandell’s recuperation has dissuaded Tillman from recruiting another quarterback.

Jyles replaced Crandell and, after throwing one touchdown and two interceptions against the Lions, was replaced at halftime by Durant. An offseason acquisition from the Edmonton Eskimos, Jyles had not started a game in his previous two CFL seasons. Nor had Durant, who had thrown only one regular-season pass during his two seasons with Saskatchewan.

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