REGINA — Given the importance of what’s at stake, it shouldn’t come as much of a surprise to see the Saskatchewan Roughriders doing everything they can to put their best possible team on the field.
And their depth chart for the West Final against the B.C. Lions shows exactly that.
The Green and White made a total of 12 personnel changes for the contest on Saturday at Mosaic Stadium, as a host of starters have fought their way through injury to return to the team when they need them the most.
Starting with the offence, the receiving group welcomes the return of one of their top pass catchers as 1,000-yard receiver Dohnte Meyers is back in action. Meyers had been out since Week 18 with an ankle injury and jumps back in at strong side receiver. The other side of the field will see Joe Robustelli return after missing the season finale against B.C. with a knee injury. Slotback Samuel Emilus is also back in the line-up, having last seen action in Week 20.
Receiver Shawn Bane Jr. joins slotbacks Ajou Ajou (ankle) and Mitchel Picton on the one-game injured list. The news wasn’t good either for 1,000-yard receiver KeeSean Johnson, who will miss his third straight game with a knee injury.
Short yardage quarterback Tommy Stevens has recovered from his knee injury suffered in Week 17 and will serve as third-string quarterback behind Trevor Harris and Jake Maier. That pushes Jack Coan to the one-game injured.
The offensive line welcomes back Trevon Tate at left guard, who had been out of action since Week 4 at the end of June with a shoulder injury. Zach Fry also returns and will be the sixth man on the o-line while Darius Washington moves to the practice roster and Noah Zerr drops to the one-game injured list.
Brett Lauther returns at kicker after sitting out the regular season finale to rest his back, and Michael Hughes moves to the practice roster.
Now for the defence.
The biggest return there sees Rolan Milligan Jr. back in at halfback, having last played in Week 18 with foot and knee issues. He’s joined by safety C.J. Reavis and veteran cornerback Marcus Sayles, marking the first time since mid-season the full starting defensive back group is together on the field. Regina product Jaxon Ford also is back in as back-up safety after sitting out since Week 14 with a knee injury. Defensive backs Sheldrick Redwine and Benny Sapp III move to the one-game injured to make room for the returning starters.
The defensive line sees tackle Mike Rose return after missing last week and Nick Wiebe is back in action at back-up middle linebacker. Defensive ends Benoit Marion, Chico Bennett Jr. and defensive back Nafees Lyon drop to the one-game injured.
Teagan Witko, Justin Dunk and Wes Cates have all the pre-game news and views at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, followed by Dave Thomas and Luc Mullinder with the game call on the Co-operators Rider Broadcast Network at 5:30 p.m.
