To the surprise of no one who followed the team through practice and preparation over the last week, the Saskatchewan Roughriders have a host of changes to their lineup for their regular season finale against the Edmonton Elks.
A total of 14 roster moves were made for Saturday afternoon’s contest, many involving some of the team’s most prolific players.
Quarterback Trevor Harris had hoped to play this week but has been moved to the reserve roster for rest, while running back A.J. Ouellette (neck), receiver KeeSean Johnson (ankle), defensive end James Vaughters (undisclosed), offensive lineman Jermarcus Hardrick (knee), offensive lineman Daniel Johnson (back) and defensive back DaMarcus Fields (hamstring) all move to the one-game injured list.
Before readers panic over the future status of the team, most of these moves are likely rest-related, and the Edmonton Elks are doing much the same.
Now here’s who will be on the field.
As has been much-covered this week, Jack Coan will get his first career start at quarterback, with Brayden Schager coming off the practice roster as his back-up. Schager is also expected to get some playing time, with Tommy Stevens serving as the short-yardage specialist.
Former NFL running back Deon Jackson comes off the practice roster and will get the start, with Thomas Bertrand-Hudon as his backup.
The receiving corps will see Dhel Duncan-Busby move over to weak side wideout in place of Johnson, with Daniel Wiebe at strong-side wide receiver. Kian Schaffer-Baker and Sam Emilus are the outside slotbacks, Johnny Johnson III starts at inside slot. Dylan Djete is in off the practice roster as a back-up receiver.
The offensive line is mostly intact, as Payton Collins remains at left tackle, Thomas Perry at left guard, Logan Ferland at centre and Jacob Brammer at right guard. Jaison Williams comes off the practice roster to start at right tackle in place of Hardrick. Zack Fry will be the o-line’s sixth man.
Desmond Evans is in at defensive end for Vaughters, while the rest of the front remains the same with Haba Baldonado on the other end and Mike Rose and Caleb Sanders as the tackles.
Seyi Oladipo Jr. is the lone returnee from injury in the line-up, and he moves back in at strong-side linebacker. Jameer Thurman remains at middle, Aubrey Miller Jr. at weak-side .
What’s old is new again for the defensive backs, with Jaxon Ford moving from linebacker to backing up Nelson Lokombo at free safety. Jonathan Edouard takes over from Fields at halfback, while everything else remains same as Week 20: Tevaughn Campbell at strong corner, Marcus Sayles at weak halfback and James Burgess Jr. at weak cornerback.
The Rider Broadcast Network will be on the air at 10 a.m. with plenty of special guests to set up the regular season finale, followed by Dave Thomas and Luc Mullinder with the game call at kickoff at 1 p.m.
