The Saskatchewan Roughriders will have a contingent of refreshed and healthy players ready for their Western Final matchup with the BC Lions.
Defensive backs Roland Milligan Jr. (foot/knee), C.J. Reavis (load management) and Marcus Sales (ankle), cornerback Mike Rose (load management), receivers Samuel Emilus (load management), Joe Robustelli (knee) and Donte Meyers (ankle) and left guard Trevon Tate (shoulder) are back in the lineup after missing the regular-season finale due to rest or injury, as they did in action. kicker Brett Lauter (back).
The 35-year-old from Truro, N.C., has struggled this season, making just 72.2 percent of his field goals. However, the Riders return to him at a critical juncture, sending American Michael Hughes back into the squad for training.
Defensively, Milligan and Sales will take their usual spots on the edge, while Reavis will move to safety and Antoine Brooks Jr. will remain at strong-side linebacker. Rose is listed as the backup behind Ali Saad for ratio purposes, but she will see the majority of reps in the rotation.
In addition to the returning starters, the Riders will return shortstop quarterback Tommy Stevens (knee) and top special teams ace Nick Wiebe (back). Depth guard Jackson Ford (knee) and sixth offensive lineman Zach Frye (knee) will also suit up after returning from injury.
However, it's not all good news for Saskatchewan. All-CFL wide receiver KeeSean Johnson will not be able to travel. after being listed as questionable with a knee injury. Canadian pass catcher Ajou Ajou (ankle) was also ruled unavailable, leaving Robustelli, Kian Schaffer-Baker, Tommy Neild, Emilus and Meyers in the starting five, with Del Duncan-Busby as insurance.
Quarterback Jack Coan, wide receivers Sean Bayne Jr. and Mitch Picton, offensive lineman Noah Zerr, defensive lineman Benoit Marion and defensive backs Sheldrick Redwine, Naphees Lyon and Benny Sapp III all received healthy scratches to make room for a flurry of lineup moves. Offensive lineman Darius Washington and defensive lineman Chico Bennett Jr. were returned to the lineup for practice.
The Saskatchewan Roughriders (12-6) will host the BC Lions (12-7) in the Western Final at Mosaic Stadium in Regina on Saturday, November 8, with kickoff scheduled for 6:30 pm EST. In the West semi-finals, the Lions defeated the Calgary Stampeders 33–30.while the Roughriders remained on the sidelines after finishing atop the West Division standings.
The weather forecast in Regina calls for plus minus six degrees and mostly sunny weather. The game will be broadcast on TSN and RDS in Canada and CFL+ internationally. Radio listeners can tune in to 730 CKNW in Vancouver and 620 CKRM in Regina.
