Duke Williams has first practice as a Roughrider
Wide receiver Duke Williams joined his new team on the field for the first time on Tuesday.
The wide receiver isn’t a stranger to the CFL, but he is new to the Saskatchewan Roughriders’ roster, coming off of three seasons with the National Football League with the Buffalo Bills.
Before heading south of the border, he played with Edmonton from 2017 to 2019.
Williams said after practice it will only take him a couple of days to get back in to the rhythm of Canadian football.
“That was the main thing today, is I’ve got to slow the game down in my head,” said Williams. “I wasn’t moving too fast today and I’m going to watch film and learn from my mistakes I made today and make sure I correct that tomorrow for practice.”
Quarterback Cody Fajardo said Williams’ veteran status brings an expertise to the team.
“You can tell when he’s talking to guys about routes, waggles, and he’s very acceptable to criticism or coaching, which is really big when you get a big time receiver or a guy with the resume he’s got,” Fajardo said.
Named a CFL All Star while with Edmonton, Williams said he is ready to do what he does best, which is getting open and catching the football.
“Whatever they’re slacking in I’m here to pick that up and do my part and make plays whenever the ball comes my way and take it one play at a time,” said Williams.
“We’ve been on a three game losing streak and we’re looking to turn that around against Calgary on Saturday night.”
At his first practice as a Rider, Williams was running plays alongside Shaq Evans, who is recovering from a broken foot suffered in Week 2.
Evans said Williams is a proven player in the league who is coming back from the NFL hungry and ready to contribute.
“He definitely brings another big play element to our offence, he’s a guy that brings great energy, he’s intense and I love his game,” said Evans, a fellow wide receiver.
Head coach Craig Dickenson said the team is hopeful both the receivers will be ready to play this weekend against the Stampeders.
He called Williams tough, physical and committed to his craft.
“We signed him for a reason. We think he’s a good football player and can help us win games and we’re planning on putting him out there and letting him do his thing,” said Dickenson.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
LeBlanc says he plans to run in next election, under Trudeau's leadership
Cabinet minister Dominic LeBlanc says he plans to run in the next election as a candidate under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's leadership, amid questions about his rumoured interest in succeeding his longtime friend for the top job.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn’t over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball’s highest scorer Caitlin Clark’s first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
U.S. vetoes a widely supported UN resolution backing full membership for Palestine
The United States has vetoed a widely backed UN resolution that would have paved the way for full United Nations membership for the state of Palestine.
Grandparent scam suspects had ties to Italian organized crime, police allege
A group of suspects that allegedly defrauded seniors across Ontario and other parts of Canada using a so-called emergency grandparent scam appear to have ties to 'Italian traditional organized crime,' according to an investigator involved in the OPP-led probe.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Cat found on Toronto Pearson airport runway 3 days after going missing
Kevin the cat has been reunited with his family after enduring a harrowing three-day ordeal while lost at Toronto Pearson International Airport earlier this week.
N.L. gardening store revives 19th century seed-packing machine
Technology from the 19th century has been brought out of retirement at a Newfoundland gardening store, as staff look for all the help they can get to fill orders during a busy season.