“Thomas the Train” didn’t need any time to get untracked.

Running back Thomas Bertrand-Hudon enjoyed an impressive start to the 2025 CFL season before suffering a leg injury that has sidelined him for the Saskatchewan Roughriders’ past 11 games.

He resumed practising last week and could return to game duty as soon as Friday, when the Roughriders visit the Ottawa REDBLACKS (5:30 p.m., CKRM, TSN).

“It feels amazing coming out here and competing with those guys,” he said after Thursday’s practice at Mosaic Stadium. “They’ve done great, even when I wasn’t in there, so I’m just very happy that I can add to what they’ve done for the entire year so far.”

When the Roughriders faced Ottawa to open the regular season on June 5, Bertrand-Hudon rushed 14 times for 57 yards and one touchdown in a 31-26 Saskatchewan win. He added two receptions for 17 yards and another major.

He had five carries for 39 yards over the following two games, averaging 7.8 yards per rush over that span while the “Thomas the Train” label gained steam.

“I’m just happy that people catch on to it, I guess,” he said with a smile, “but as long as I get to perform and just help this team, the sirens and whatnot are all just bells and whistles at the end of the day.”

The Roughriders have set off fireworks for most of the season, as evidenced by a league-best 10-4 record. As much as Bertrand-Hudon appreciates the success of his teammates, sitting out 11 games was, by his description, annoying.

“It was a tough battle,” he said of the recuperation process. “A lot of it was mental, especially because I had to work on (the leg) and keep pushing it and not think about the injury.

“Now that the mental (aspect) is here, I’m very happy that I get to compete.”

Bertrand-Hudon was listed as available on Thursday’s injury report, but the final roster decisions will not be announced until Friday morning.

“He was out here last week and unfortunately couldn’t go,” Roughriders Head Coach Corey Mace said. “Having him out here again this week and seeing how he has gotten through the week of practice, if it does end up that he’s ready to go, having him out there certainly helps us in a multitude of ways.

“His average yards per carry is up there and there’s certainly what he does for us on special teams as well.

“He’s a really good player. When he’s healthy, we’re excited.”

LIFE IS GRAND

KeeSean Johnson is once again part of the 1,000-yard club.

Johnson, who reached the milestone in each of his final two seasons at Fresno State, hit four digits for the first time in the pro ranks on Saturday when the Roughriders opposed the Elks in Edmonton.

“It definitely feels good,” Johnson said. “It’s an accomplishment that all receivers want to hit.

“It’s something I was able to do, but my main goal when I came here was to win games and get to the last game of the season.”

Entering Friday’s contest, Johnson is third in the CFL in catches (78) and receiving yards (1,088) with four regular-season games remaining.

Johnson has operated at a 1,000-yard pace since joining the Roughriders.

Last year, he had 56 catches for 746 yards in 12 games. Those totals, extrapolated over a full 18-game season, work out to 84 catches and 1,119 yards.

“Based off his college tape and even his NFL tape, you saw his skill set and his potential,” Mace said. “We were really excited to get him here.

“We knew we had a special player.”

So did Fresno State, where Johnson eclipsed several team records that had been set by NFL star Davonte Adams.

Johnson had 77 catches for 1,013 yards as a junior before registering 95 receptions for 1,340 yards as a graduating player. He went on to play in 18 NFL games, all with the Arizona Cardinals, before signing with Saskatchewan on Feb. 28, 2024.

Johnson was one of two Roughriders to join the 1,000-yard club last weekend in Edmonton. A.J. Ouellette reached 1,000 rushing yards for the second time in his career.

Dohnte Meyers is 102 receiving yards shy of giving the Roughriders three 1,000-yard performers for the first time since 2017 — when Duron Carter (1,043), Naaman Roosevelt (1,035) and Bakari Grant (1,033) each reached the milestone through the air.

“I always tell those guys throughout the year, ‘Don’t worry about your numbers. Let me worry about them,’ ” quarterback Trevor Harris said. “I kind of know my receivers’ numbers better than they do. I know how close Dohnte is and we want to get him there and he will get there.

“Nothing gives me, as a quarterback, more happiness than to see A.J. get a lot of rushing yards and to see KeeSean hit that milestone. Hopefully we can get Dohnte there pretty quick.”

HONOUR ROLL

The Roughriders had the CFL’s top-graded offensive line in September, according to Pro Football Focus, and have thus been recognized once more on PFF’s monthly Honour Roll.

Saskatchewan had a unit grade of 77.0. Individually, the top grades went to right tackle Jermarcus Hardrick (81.3), right guard Jacob Brammer (76.3) and centre Logan Ferland (73.9).

Saskatchewan also had PFF’s top-ranked offensive line in June.

EXTRA POINTS

• Along with Bertrand-Hudon, the following players are listed as available for Friday: Returner Mario Alford (who has been battling a hip injury), cornerback Marcus Sayles (knee), receiver Kian Schaffer-Baker (foot), linebacker Melique Straker (leg) and quarterback Jack Coan (hand).

• Cornerback Tevaughn Campbell (head) will miss his third consecutive game. Kicker Brett Lauther (back) is also listed as out, clearing the way for Campbell Fair to make his CFL debut. As well, a knee injury will sideline short-yardage quarterback Tommy Stevens for the game in Ottawa.