THE CANADIAN PRESS

REGINA – It seems Saskatchewan Roughriders receiver Matt Dominguez has a very difficult decision to make.

The Riders learned Wednesday that Dominguez suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee in last weekend’s 22-21 road win over the Calgary Stampeders. It’s the third major knee injury Dominguez, 30, has suffered since joining the Saskatchewan squad in 2003.

Dominguez had said that he would consider retiring from football if his latest knee injury was a serious one.

“It’s a devastating injury for him, it’s a devastating injury for us,” Riders coach Ken Miller said Thursday. “He can be such a dominant force when he’s healthy.

“He has been such a leader for us, on and off the field and has had such a presence in the community as well.”

Dominguez’s injury is just the latest in a long string this season for the Riders, who’ve also seen the likes of receivers Andy Fantuz, D.J. Flick, defensive lineman John Chick, defensive back James Johnson and quarterbacks Marcus Crandell and Darian Durant go down.

Yet through it all, the defending Grey Cup-champion Riders are 6-0 and the CFL’s only remaining undefeated team.

Dominguez wasn’t at Mosaic Stadium on Wednesday as the Riders went through their final preparations for their rematch with the Stampeders on Thursday night.

Dominguez was leading the CFL in receiving last year when he suffered a season-ending knee injury. But Dominguez ended up helping the Riders coaches while injured and Miller said the six-foot-two, 220-pound receiver could easily make the transition from player to coach if he decides to retire.

“That’s a possibility,” Miller said. “During the time he was injured last year as we went down the stretch he was with us and really made valuable contribution with our receivers.”

Miller said trying to fill Dominguez’s void will be a daunting task for the Riders.

“He’s a tremendous leader and everyone expects Matt to be there,” he said. “Now he won’t be there for an extended period, maybe ever and so that’s going to leave a hole.”