The Saskatchewan Roughriders received some devastating news on Tuesday as offensive lineman Philip Blake had successful surgery for a torn pectoral muscle and will be out long term. It is unknown at this time how many games he will miss in 2023. This was reported by Regina-Leader Post Sports Writer Taylor Shire.
Philip Blake is six foot three and weighs 310 pounds. The 37-year-old from Toronto, Ontario, did not play in Sunday’s game against the Edmonton Elks. He signed with Saskatchewan as a free agent on February 15th. This is his second stint in Saskatchewan and his seventh season in the CFL. In 2022, Blake was named a CFL East All-Star after playing 17 games and helping the Argonauts win the 109th Grey Cup championship over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
Blake was drafted by the Montreal Alouettes in the third round (23rd pick) in the 2011 CFL Draft but decided to stay at Baylor. Then, the Denver Broncos drafted Blake in the fourth round (108th pick) in the 2012 NFL Draft. He did not play a regular season game for the Broncos and was released on August 31st, 2013.
Later, Blake signed with the Arizona Cardinals in 2013 and was on their practice squad. After his release in 2014, he took time off before signing with the Montreal Alouettes on January, 8th, 2015. He played 39 games in three and a half seasons playing different positions on the offensive line before he was traded to the Saskatchewan Roughriders in 2018. Blake spent one and a half seasons playing 11 games.
Next, Blake signed with the Toronto Argonauts in 2020 but the season was canceled and returned to Toronto in 2021. He played 28 games for the Argonauts in two seasons.
Collegiately, Blake played one season at Tyler Community College in 2008 and was named Second Team All-SWJCFC for the Apache. Then, Blake transferred to Baylor (2009-11) playing 38 games in three seasons for the Bears.
He was named First Team All-Big 12 after helping the Bears’ offense rank second nationally in total offense (587.1), fourth in passing offense (351.5), fourth in scoring offense (45.3), and 10th in rushing offense (235.6). In addition, Blake played in the 2012 Senior Bowl.
