Many in Rider Nation are on pins and needles waiting to hear about the status of Cody Fajardo.

Roughriders coach Craig Dickenson says Fajardo missed practice Wednesday and Thursday.

"He pulled a muscle in his back yesterday during practice and we just wanted to play it safe with him. We're hoping it's OK, he's getting treatment right now but he's not here today because of what happened yesterday. We're hopeful he can play but we don't know right now."

Dickenson isn't panicking about the potential of having the team's most outstanding player not in the line up for a big game against Edmonton Saturday.

Backup quarterback Isaac Harker will get the nod if Fajardo isn't ready to go.

The Riders can clinch first in the West Division tomorrow with a win over the Edmonton Eskimos. The Eskimos have already confirmed that they will not be starting Kevin Harris at quarterback.