The Saskatchewan Roughriders can move into a tie for the top seed in the CFL’s West Division with a win at Mosaic Stadium when they host the winless Ottawa RedBlacks Friday night. Except the Green and White attempt to do so missing several key pieces and weapons on both sides of the ball. Thirteen Riders find themselves on the six-game injured list, including top receivers Kian Schaffer-Baker and Samuel Emilus; running backs A.J. Ouellette and Albert Awachie; defensive backs Rolan Milligan Jr., Tevaughn Campbell and JuJu Hughes; defensive lineman Ali Saad; and kick returners James Letcher Jr. and Mathew Sexton. Former Saskatchewan Roughrider Wes Cates applauded the team’s ability to still win ball games through the slew of injuries sweeping all areas of the field. “Kudus for the team for even getting that win,” Cates said about Saskatchewan’s 28-26 victory over Edmonton in Week 9 on this week’s episode of X’s and O’s. “With some of the injuries they were having in-game, and before, with Emilus getting sit down right before the game started … but it’s tough right now.” Due to the growing list of injuries, Saskatchewan is getting a glimpse of talent deeper in the lineup. Several rookies and back-ups are getting valuable playing time – and in important moments. “Quali Conley had a big game – big plays, anyway – people are excited to see more of him,” said Cates. “Dhel Duncan-Busby, he had his impact on the game; D’Sean Mimbs got in and had a big catch.” “We should be able to rally the troops and get enough guys out there capable to get by this RedBlacks team who seems like they can’t find a way to win right now,” he added. It is not the first time Saskatchewan has had to deal with the injury bug. Even last season, which ended with Grey Cup rings on their fingers, saw big players spend time on the injured list – although not to this extent. Players were quick to not let the injury bug be an excuse for poor play. “Guys do their part, and that’s all it comes down to,” quarterback Trevor Harris told reporters Thursday. “It is our job to make sure we execute. Our veterans, our veteran leadership, bring guys along a little bit quicker.” “But there’s no flinching tomorrow with what we got out there. We’ve got good players; I’m not worried about it,” he added. No matter who is called upon to play, like linebacker Nick Wiebe who saw practice snaps at fullback and tight end this week, the expectation is the same. “I’m not shocked because I see these guys work on stuff,” head coach Corey Mace said about the way guys are stepping up through this string of injuries. “Our coaches do a good job; they’ll give out tests every week and you better have the answers whether you’re playing or not.” “It just keeps guys accountable and attentive in the meeting rooms – it’s just the environment here,” he added. Mace reminded everyone again, injuries are a part of football but the games still have to be played. “It’s inevitable. Injuries are going to happen,” he noted. “To not have people prepared would be a misstep, so I’m not surprised these guys are still able to execute at the standard we are looking for.” Young guns on the wing As Schaffer-Baker and Emilus move to the six-game injured list and are out long(er) term, Saskatchewan now looks down the line to a group of young receivers to get the job done. While KeeSean Johnson remains in the line-up, he’s seeing a different role – starting at slot back, rather than his usual wide-out position. The remaining four starting receivers see D’Sean Mimbs, Dhel Duncan-Busby, Johnny Johnson III and Dylan Djete in elevated roles. “Everybody in this locker room needs to be here,” Duncan-Busby said earlier this week. “Everybody is here for a reason and we get to see what we can do as a group. People on the outside don’t necessarily get to see us – that’s why they may be a little bit skeptical.” “But we know we can go out there and win against everybody,” he added. Now in his third year in Saskatchewan, Duncan-Busby is coming off a season where he played all 18 games for the first time. The Vancouver product had 355 receiving yards on 29 catches – 47 targets – and two touchdowns in 2025. In last week’s win over Edmonton, he caught all four of his targets for a season-high 66 yards. Duncan-Busby says he prides himself on being able to play any of the five receiver sets should he be needed. “It forces you to understand the playbook more,” he explained. “That way, you can get slotted into different positions – because you never know where the offence might need you. It gives you an opportunity to learn more about what everybody does.” Jonson III, an American, has fit in nicely with the receiving group – making four starts – and Daniel Wiebe has been serviceable when needed to catch passes and field kicks. However, with Emilus going down and Saskatchewan needing to fill its Canadian ratio, Djete, the Riders second round pick of the 2026 CFL Draft Pick, will get his first CFL start Friday after making his debut last week. “I’ve learned how to be a pro,” he said Wednesday. “Watching those guys, not even asking questions – just seeing how they act around me, they are pros in every way. Me and Sam watch film together because I knew this moment would come.” “I really had to project myself as a starter and that was my mindset; always trying to work as a starter so when the time comes, I’m ready,” Djete added. The man throwing them the ball noted there are things which only players like Schaffer-Baker and Emilus can do, but he still has the confidence in his receivers to make the plays they need to. “As a quarterback, I always pride myself on watching the guy, ‘What are they good at; how can I highlight their strengths,” Harris explained. “We have to put these guys in situations to make plays.” “How do you think KeeSean Johnson became a name – Kian Schaffer-Baker, Sam Emilus, Dohnte Meyers; no one’s talking about him last year, now he’s playing for the Cincinnati Bengals.” Harris believes doors are opening for these players to make an impact and show what they have. “Opportunity gives windows for guys to flourish; that’s exactly what you’re going to see,” he added. “We’ve been high on Johnny Johnson, Dhel and Dylan. D’Sean is somebody people are going to start talking about soon. I’m excited they get to play more.” Trap game? Sitting in second place in the West, the Riders look to catch the division-leading Edmonton Elks this week. Across from them on the field is a RedBlacks team who have yet to win a game through seven attempts. That fact is not changing how Saskatchewan is handling their opponents. “The one thing I could say about football is, adversity is ubiquitous throughout everywhere,” said Harris. “We’ve got to make sure we know adversity is going to come [Friday] and anybody that thinks they’re bad football teams [doesn’t] watch film.” “This team was up two touchdowns against Winnipeg in the fourth quarter. This team pushed Montreal to the limit a few weeks ago. They maybe didn’t play a great game last game, but how often do you see professional football teams play two poor games in a row? Doesn’t happen: they’re going to respond,” he added. Ottawa did respond after last week’s loss by firing its defensive coordinator and making some roster changes – including releasing receiver Eugene Lewis. Jeff Reinebold took over the defensive playcalling this week. The looming possibility of anything had Saskatchewan rolling the tape to learn more about what could be coming. “We’re digging deep in the archives and doing everything we can to try and figure out or get an inkling of a clue,” Harris said. “But the cool thing is, tomorrow we’ll know.” The Riders’ defence called Ottawa, “desperate.” For them, that means they, too, have to be ready for whatever comes their way. “We can’t have the mindset of playing an 0-7 team,” linebacker Jameer Thurman said. “We’re playing a professional football team, they’re in the CFL and in the way of our destination. So we’ve got to have the mindset of, ‘We know who we are.’ We have to go out there and dominate.” Corey Mace pointed to a similar game in 2024, his first season in Saskatchewan, when his 5-2 Riders faced-off against the 0-7 Elks at home. Edmonton went on to win 42-31 that game. “We know what this is; there’s no team in this league you’re just going to walk into the game [against] where you just show up and you’re going to win,” he said. “It’s not going to happen. You’ve got to be on it from the start of the week all the way to the last whistle.” The ‘Maier’ returns Making his return to Mosaic Stadium for the first time since being released by Saskatchewan this past offseason is Ottawa pivot Jake Maier. Maier is a career 5-3 against Saskatchewan, but in 2025 – he made two starts for the Riders, appearing in five games last season. In those appearances, he was 56/87 passing for 617 yards, two touchdowns and threw two interceptions. Against B.C. in Week 4 and Harris out with a suspected concussion, Maier led the Riders to a 37-18 win. “I love that guy,” Harris said about his former back-up quarterback. “He’s quickly become one of the better friends; I talk to Jake almost every week. He’s a similar mold to me in terms of the way he plays the game; he likes to take what the defence gives him and finds opportunities for your shots. And he’s a very, very funny guy.” Maier played against the Riders’ defence in Week 5. Then, he had 23 completions on 30 passing attempts for 259 yards, one touchdown and did not throw a pick. He has passed for 948 yards in his last three games. In front of him is a Saskatchewan defense which has allowed the fewest points in the CFL (195). The Riders are ranked third in the league defensively, second in sacks. Saskatchewan has won six straight home games against Ottawa; dating back to 2018 when Trevor Harris was the RedBlacks’ QB. Hale’s final shot? The leg of Riders’ rookie kicker Alex Hale continues to struggle. Through seven games this season, he is 12 of 17 on field-goal attempts, connecting on just one of five from 40-plus yards. He’s missed a field goal in each of his last three games. Earlier this week, Saskatchewan signed former Laurier Golden Hawk Dawson Hodge. “It’ll engage some competition and then give us an option to look for, if it comes down to that,” Mace said. Still, Hale has the confidence of his coaching staff. “That being said, Alex is our guy going out there this week and I’m hoping, just like he is, he’s going to nail everything,” Mace added. “I’ve got faith in Alex.”
