The Saskatchewan Roughriders are expected to have a different look in their backfield on Saturday against the Edmonton Elks compared to how they started the first of their home-and-home set last week.
Running back A.J. Ouellette, who left last Thursday’s 36-34 loss late in the third quarter, didn’t practice Tuesday and is doubtful for the rematch. Quali Conley lined up in Ouellette’s spot Tuesday and is being tabbed to start in his place.
“We’re going to go week to week on it,” Roughriders coach Corey Mace said about Ouellette’s status. “It might be a tall task this week but nothing long term.”
Ouellette has appeared in four of Saskatchewan’s six games this season, recording 288 yards on 63 carries.
Last Thursday marked just his second game back from a two-contest absence due to an ankle injury. Ouellette had 83 yards on 18 carries in a blowout win over Hamilton on July 12. The 31-year-old then managed 52 yards on the ground on 12 touches in a pass-happy outing against the Elks before hobbling off the field with 1:38 to play in the third quarter.
Now, the Riders are slated to turn to Conley yet again. The 23-year-old started twice in Ouellette’s place earlier in the season before being relegated to the practice roster for the last two games. With Ouellette injured again, it looks like Conley’s number is going to be called again.
Conley has 107 yards rushing on 20 carries with one touchdown in his two games. Riders quarterback Trevor Harris sees a player with an giant appetite to get better.
“He’s constantly watching, asking questions,” Harris said. “Very quiet. At first, it’s like, ‘This guy doesn’t like anybody.’ Then you get a chance to sit down and talk with him. He’s just a great guy, tremendous football mind, very athletic. He’s kind of like a scatback. He fits this league really well.
“He’s asked A.J. a lot of questions, watching A.J. Any time you get to watch A.J Ouellette and the way he operates, you’re going to get better through osmosis in just watching him.”
The 5-foot-10, 211-pound rookie back is still adapting to the CFL game. His focus is trying to be more methodical as and after he gets the ball in his hands and wait for holes to develop.
“It’s tough – very tough – because you see something open and you want to hit it because it’s open. But knowing you have to press one or two more cycles, then it might be even more open,” Conley said.
“The game down south is: once it’s open, hit it because it won’t stay open for that long. Here, it’s just being more patient.”
