9 Sask. players make Riders roster ahead of home opener
The Saskatchewan Roughriders announced the final roster Friday afternoon, ahead of next week’s season opener.
Forty-nine players have been named to the active roster, while six players sit on the six-game injured list.
The team added 15 players to the practice roster and returned two players to school.
On Saturday, general manager Jeremy O’Day said having strong practice roster is a good thing in case more players get hurt.
“Just like any other year, when injuries happen you have to adjust. And when that opportunity presents itself for another player, hopefully they can step up and take that opportunity,” O’Day said. “That’s why we have training camp and that’s why we signed the players that we did. We think we have some good players that can fill those roles and hopefully become the next stars.”
Cody Fajardo and Isaac Harker are back at the quarterback position, and the Riders brought former first-round NFL draft pick Paxton Lynch on board.
The Riders released quarterback Tom Flacco and added quarterback Mason Fine to the practice roster.
The team also added South African kicker Henry Nell and brought back Brett Lauther.
HOMEGROWN PLAYERS
Nine Saskatchewan-born players have been named to the squad, including five offensive linemen.
Regina Thunder product Logan Ferland, 2020 first-round pick Mattland Riley, Evan Johnston, Brett Boyko and Dan Clarke have clinched spots on the offensive line.
Wide receivers Mitch Picton and Brayden Lenius, punter Jon Ryan, and long snapper Jorgen Hus are also on the roster.
Twenty-five of the 49 players are also Canadian, giving the team flexibility when it comes to game day ratios.
“How we set the ratio will be up to coach Dickenson and the coaching staff, but we wanted to allow that flexibility so we are happy that we have so many quality Canadians,” said O’Day.
The Riders host the B.C. Lions Aug. 6 at 7:30 p.m. in front of a sold-out Mosaic Stadium.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Work stoppage possible as WestJet issues lockout notice to maintenance engineers' union
A lockout notice issued by WestJet to a union representing aircraft maintenance engineers could result in a work stoppage next week.
'I just can't believe that it took so long': Body found in wreckage 3 months after deadly fire
A man accused of arson in a January Old Strathcona apartment fire is expected to be charged with manslaughter after a body was discovered in the burned building late last month.
No proof man lied to brother about number of kittens born in litter, B.C. tribunal rules
A man was denied a $5,000 payout from his brother after a B.C. tribunal dismissed his claim disputing how many kittens were born in a litter.
Bodies recovered in Mexico likely 2 Australians, 1 American who went missing: officials
Three bodies recovered in an area of Baja California are likely to be those of the two Australians and an American who went missing last weekend during a camping and surfing trip, the state prosecutor’s office said Saturday.
BREAKING London Drugs begins 'gradual reopening' on 7th day after cyberattack
Almost a week after all London Drugs stores across Western Canada abruptly closed amid a cyberattack, they began a "gradual reopening" on Saturday.
Quebec police hand out hundreds of tickets to Hells Angels and other bikers before 'first run' meeting
Quebec provincial police handed out hundreds of fines to Hells Angels members and other supporting motorcycle clubs who met for their 'first run' in a small town near Sherbrooke, Que.
Auston Matthews skates ahead of Game 7, status unclear with season on the line
Auston Matthews was back on the ice with his teammates Saturday.
Russia puts Ukrainian President Zelenskyy on its wanted list
Russia has put Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on its wanted list, Russian state media reported Saturday, citing the interior ministry’s database.
Snakes almost on a plane: U.S. TSA discovers a bag with small snakes in passenger's pants
According to an X post by the Transportation Security Administration, officers at the Miami International Airport found the small bag of snakes hidden in a passenger's trousers on April 26 at a checkpoint.