Roughriders quarterback Zach Collaros exited Saskatchewan’s season opener against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on Thursday after being hit in the head in the first quarter.
Collaros was struck on the third play of the game by Hamilton’s Simoni Lawrence as he was scrambling for yardage.
Lawrence received a 25-yard roughing the passer penalty on the play but was not ejected.
Collaros walked off the field with a Riders trainer to undergo concussion protocol and had some choice words for Lawrence along the way.
He returned to the sidelines later in the quarter wearing a jacket and hat.
Collaros missed four regular season games last season after suffering a concussion in Week 4. He was hit high in Saskatchewan’s regular season finale against B.C., and didn’t play in the West Division semifinal against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers despite clearing concussion protocol.
The 30-year-old became a free agent in February but re-signed a one-year deal with the Riders. It was his first game against the Tiger-Cats after they traded him to Saskatchewan in January 2018. Collaros played four season for Hamilton from 2014-17.
Cody Fajardo replaced Collaros at quarterback following the injury, but came off limping late in the third after being hit. Fajardo returned in the fourth quarter but third-string QB Isaac Harker took snaps for the offence.
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