Roughriders practice ahead of Saturday’s game vs Redblacks

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As the Saskatchewan Roughriders returned to practice on Tuesday following Friday’s 37-29 win over the Calgary Stampeders, the Green and White were without one of their starting receivers.

Canadian Ajou Ajou injured his knee during the Week 16 contest in Calgary and was not at practice on Tuesday at Mosaic Stadium as the team determines the extent of his injury.

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“We’re still waiting to get the total results,” Riders’ head coach Corey Mace told reporters after practice. “Just had some imaging and stuff like that.

“Hopefully it’s nothing that requires a major surgery or anything like that.”

Dhel Duncan-Busby — Saskatchewan’s third-round pick in the 2024 CFL Draft — had two catches for 34 yards playing for Ajou last week against Calgary and could be elevated into a starting role this week as the Riders get set to host the Ottawa Redblacks on Saturday (1 p.m., CTV) in Week 17 of the CFL season.

Riders add receiver

The Riders also signed Canadian receiver Colton Hunchak on Tuesday.

After being drafted by the Stampeders in 2019, the 26-year-old went on to suit up for 35 games for Calgary from 2019-23, recording 606 receiving yards and 65 receptions.

Prior to turning pro, the 5-foot-11, 212-pounder played four collegiate seasons at York University.

To make room for Hunchak on the roster, the Riders released American offensive lineman Tairiq Stewart.

Injury update

Two players dealing with knee injuries on Saskatchewan’s six-game injured list could be nearing a return to the lineup.

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American offensive lineman Jacob Brammer, who was practising at right guard on Tuesday, and defensive lineman Anthony Lanier II both logged full workouts and could return to the lineup this week.

“There’s a possibility,” said Mace. “It’s good to see those guys out there practising.

“Brammer in the short stint that he had played I thought pretty excellent for us and Lanier obviously with the experience that he’s had and what he’s done in this league.

“We’ll see as it goes on through the week what they feel like but certainly getting their wind back underneath them.”

Defensive back Rolan Milligan Jr. was also back at practice on Tuesday after missing last week’s game due to the birth of his daughter.

Fellow defensive back Godfrey Onyeka (foot) and linebacker C.J. Reavis (knee) didn’t participate, while defensive linemen Micah Johnson (back) and Caleb Sanders (back) were limited.

Ready for Redblacks

The Redblacks — who are coming off a 24-12 loss to the Montreal Alouettes on the weekend — have announced they will be starting Jeremiah Masoli at quarterback this week as Dru Brown (ankle) deals with an injury.

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Brown started last week’s game against the Alouettes, going 8-of-16 for 69 yards with two interceptions, before Masoli took over in the second quarter before ending the game with 218 passing yards and a touchdown while completing 17 of 26 passes.

Whether it’s due to performance or injury, the Riders will be ready for the change at quarterback.

“They move the ball efficiently with Jeremiah in there so certainly something that we kind of anticipated maybe,” said Mace.

When Saskatchewan and Ottawa tied 22-22 in Week 10, the Redblacks deployed both Brown and backup Dustin Crum.

Honour roll

Several members of the Roughriders were named to the CFL’s honour roll for Week 16 after their performance against the Stampeders, which ended a seven-game losing skid for Saskatchewan.

Quarterback Trevor Harris (16-of-18, 248 passing yards, 17 rushing yards, two total touchdowns), running back Ryquell Armstead (25 carries, 207 yards), receiver Kian Schaffer-Baker (five catches, 80 yards, one touchdown), returner Mario Alford (98 combined return yards), linebacker Jameer Thurman (five tackles, one interception), right tackle Trevon Tate and the rest of Saskatchewan’s offensive line were recognized by the league on Tuesday.

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For Schaffer-Baker, it was a total team effort, especially on his touchdown catch in the third quarter.

“Nothing better than getting in the end zone,” said Schaffer-Baker. “Trev threw an amazing ball, O-line made perfect blocks, running back stepped up and got the guy he needed too.

“It takes all 12 of us to get down that field and to even just get into the end zone.”

tshire@postmedia.com

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