The Calgary Stampeders will have to start the 2013 season without Johnny Forzani.

The speedy wideout is sidelined for an undetermined period of time after undergoing surgery on his ankle three weeks ago.

“He had a high ankle sprain last year (during an Oct. 13 game in Winnipeg) that put him on the nine-game (injury list),” said head coach and general manager John Hufnagel. “He didn’t finish the season and (during the off-season) it didn’t heal to where it needed to be to play football. So he went to a specialist and had a procedure done.

“So now it’s a matter of rehabbing it and getting him back on the field. It’s kind of a wait-and-see. Once he gets back on his feet, we will be able to better determine how much longer, but we hope he has a speedy recovery.”

Before his injury, the 24-year-old Calgarian had 29 receptions for 512 yards and three touchdowns. His 17.7 yards per catch represented the second-best total on the team.