Saskatchewan Roughriders Navigate Injuries and Roster Changes Ahead of Ottawa Matchup

The Saskatchewan Roughriders are preparing for their upcoming game against the Ottawa Redblacks with significant uncertainty in their receiving corps due to a series of injuries. Head coach Corey Mace stated following Wednesday’s practice that the final composition of the receivers for Friday’s game has not yet been determined, noting, “I can’t say that I know much different than you at this moment. It’s good that we’ve got another day to figure that out... but whoever we end up putting out there, we have full trust.”

Six Roughriders receivers appeared on the injury report this week: Samuel Emilus (ankle), Kian Schaffer-Baker (oblique), Jaylen Johnson (shoulder), Dhel Duncan-Busby (shoulder), James Letcher Jr. (elbow), and Dylan Djete (quadriceps). Emilus and Schaffer-Baker sustained injuries in the previous week’s game against the Toronto Argonauts. Neither practised on Monday, but both progressed to limited participation on Tuesday and were full participants on Wednesday. Schaffer-Baker is listed as available for the Ottawa game, while Emilus is considered questionable.

Dhel Duncan-Busby, after missing the last two games with a shoulder injury, returned to full practice on Tuesday and Wednesday and is available for Friday. Jaylen Johnson, who started the team’s first three games, was a full participant in the latter half of the week but is ruled out for the game. James Letcher Jr., the team’s primary returner, has not practised since his elbow injury during the Toronto game and will not play on Friday. He is expected to be replaced by newcomer Mathew Sexton, who joined Saskatchewan after being released by Ottawa earlier in the year and could have a “full-circle moment” facing his former team.

Dylan Djete, a recent second-round draft pick, has been limited in practice with a quadriceps injury and remains sidelined, having not played since training camp. KeeSean Johnson and D’Sean Mimbs are the only starting receivers from the previous game not listed on the injury report this week.

Quarterback Trevor Harris, the 2025 Grey Cup MVP, reflected on the recurring nature of injuries among receivers, referencing last season when both Emilus and Schaffer-Baker missed significant time, along with other contributors. “It’s not like it’s something new for us. It’s not, ‘Oh no! What do we do?’” Harris said, underlining the team’s experience managing depth challenges.

The Roughriders’ injury concerns extend beyond the receiving group. Running back A.J. Ouellette, a two-time 1,000-yard rusher, remains questionable after missing last week’s game and being limited in practice throughout the week with an ankle injury. Defensive back Nelson Lokombo, who missed two games with an ankle injury, practised fully on Wednesday and is available for the Ottawa game.

Other players ruled out for Friday include defensive linemen Benoit Marion (shoulder) and Ali Saad (calf), linebackers Jayden Dalke (hand) and Ryder Varga (knee), and receivers Letcher Jr., Johnson, and Djete. The ongoing roster adjustments may require Saskatchewan to activate additional players from the practice roster, a process Mace described as balancing urgency with long-term considerations: “Every week is so crucial for us, but you’ve got to look at it with a wider lens. However, if it’s somebody who shows well in practice and says they want to go, I’m not going to stand in the way of that.”

Friday’s contest in Ottawa will see the Roughriders (2-1) face a Redblacks team (0-3) featuring several former Saskatchewan players, including linebackers C.J. Reavis and A.J. Allen, defensive lineman Habakkuk Baldonado, kicker Brett Lauther, and quarterback Jake Maier. Maier, who started for Ottawa in the past three games, was previously a backup in Saskatchewan. Mace acknowledged that familiarity with Maier may offer some insights, but emphasized the need to rely on recent game film to assess tendencies given the changes in team context and coaching staff. In Ottawa’s most recent game, Maier passed for 336 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception in a narrow loss to Montreal.

After opening the season with wins over B.C. and Calgary, Saskatchewan lost to Toronto 40-34 in their last outing. Coach Mace expressed a desire for increased energy and positive interaction among his players, stating, “I would love to see more... just some more enthusiasm from the guys celebrating each other’s success — just some more juice.”

The impact of injuries on the roster has prompted opportunities for depth players such as Mathew Sexton, who may step into a dual role as receiver and return specialist. Sexton noted, “Whenever they put me in, or wherever, I’m there and going to perform. We have a standard... no matter who it is, you show up and do your job.”

In related league developments, former Roughriders receiver Ajou Ajou has been reinstated to the CFL with conditions and has agreed to terms with the Calgary Stampeders. Ajou, 24, was suspended in April for at least six games following a third-party investigation into allegations of “aggressive and unwelcome physical contact” with multiple women at a Regina-area restaurant in November 2025. His reinstatement required completion of 15 mandatory counselling sessions, a psychological assessment, and a meeting with Commissioner Stewart Johnston. Ajou will serve his six-game suspension before becoming eligible to play for Calgary. The league stated that further violations could result in stricter penalties, including a lifetime ban. Ajou appeared in 20 games for Saskatchewan across two seasons and made two receptions in the team’s Grey Cup victory over Montreal in November 2025.

The current roster challenges facing Saskatchewan are not new to the organization, as the team has navigated significant injury issues in previous seasons. The process of integrating returning players, activating practice roster members, and maintaining team cohesion remains an ongoing focus for the coaching staff. The outcome of Friday’s game may hinge on the availability and effectiveness of key offensive players, particularly at receiver and running back, as the Roughriders seek to maintain early-season momentum.