The Saskatchewan Roughriders were back on the field Monday following their bye week and had plenty of players returning in first-team roles.
According to Voice of the Roughriders Dave Thomas, receivers Kian Schaffer-Baker and Daniel Wiebe, running back A.J. Ouellette, and linebacker Josh Woods took primary reps after missing at least the last game with an injury.
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“Veteran leadership, workmanship,” Riders coach Corey Mace said when asked about Schaffer-Baker and Ouellette, specifically. “Having Schaff back at practice last week, the trash talk went up. The competitive spirit gets dialled up a little bit.
“They each have different intangibles that help the team. To throw a blanket on the both of them, they work their tails off. The more people you have in the building to do that, it’s great.”
“There’s multiple reasons why guys are stars in this league. They bring a personality, an edge to them, and attitude,” quarterback Trevor Harris added. “It’s a welcome sight to have them back if we do get them to get rolling this week.”
Schaffer-Baker has sat out the last six contests with a knee ailment, whereas Wiebe was sidelined for the Sept. 12 loss at Winnipeg with a head injury.
“It’s never a fun one to go through, but you’ve just always got to trust the process,” Schaffer-Baker said. “You never know what’s on the other side of things.”
The 28-year-old has 45 receptions for 704 yards in seven games as he searches for the first 1,000-yard season of his CFL career.
Schaffer-Baker and Wiebe were part of a five-receiver set that also consisted of KeeSean Johnson, Johnny Johnson III, and Shemar Bridges at Monday’s practice. Dhel Duncan-Busby didn’t participate because of an illness.
When asked what he learned about the offence during his absence, KSB joked that it needed No. 89 – a reference to his jersey number.
“The boys keep plugging away no matter who’s in there,” he then added. “They’ve had lots of guys step up in crucial moments. That’s going to keep happening throughout the season. It’s a new opportunity for us, and we’re all ready to go.”
Ouellette has been limited to just four games this season because of two separate stints on the injured list to deal with ankle and knee injuries.
He has 288 yards on 63 carries this season and has missed the last seven contests with the knee problem. He plans on wearing a knee brace in a game for the first time in his football career.
“Any time you miss one game, one play, it sucks,” Ouellette said. “It’s good to get back out here. I hope coach gives me the nod to play this week.”
Ouellette’s potential return comes at a good time. His replacement, Quali Conley, was limited at practice with a wrist injury.
Ouellette hopes to be part of the solution to diversify the Saskatchewan offence. The Riders are 6-0 this season when they rush for at least 100 yards. They’re 2-5 when they don’t.
“We don’t run the ball enough, and that’s a shot at (offensive coordinator Marc) Mueller,” Ouellette said in jest. “I’m going to be harping all week to open with Tommy (Stevens) Time. Just let me play a little bit of fullback and let him run through a couple linebackers. We’ll see what he has to call first play.
The secondary was revamped at Monday’s practice with Marcus Sayles at halfback and Malcolm Bell at corner. Jonathan Edouard wasn’t on the field.
Woods was back in action after missing the last two games with an ankle injury, while Antoine Brooks Jr. moved off the reserve roster to join him in the linebacking corps. Seyi Oladipo Jr. was absent Monday because of an ankle problem.
Potentially bolstering the lineup with Schaffer-Baker, Ouellette, and Woods is useful for the Roughriders at any point in the season but particularly now.
A loss by the Edmonton Elks to Toronto last weekend means the Riders will surpass the Elks for first place in the West Division if they win their final five games of the season.
That’s the optimistic view. They also have the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and the B.C. Lions, their next opponents Friday, right behind them at 7-6. The Riders could be in the East crossover team if they aren’t careful.
“It’s playoff football right now,” Schaffer-Baker said. “It’s do or die. Every single game means the world.”
