‘Encouraging’: Riders’ Samuel Emilus trending toward early return from injured list

Saskatchewan Roughriders receiver Samuel Emilus (19) stiff arms B.C. Lions defensive back Robert Carter Jr. (26) during the second half of the CFL West Division final football action in Regina, on Saturday, November 8, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Heywood Yu

Corey Mace is more than happy to see his star receivers’ number ‘19’ back on the field as Samuel Emilus returned to practice as a full participant Wednesday for the first time in three weeks.

“It’s always good to see people back on the field,” he told reporters after the team’s first on-field activities ahead of Sunday’s tilt against the Lions.

“Like anything, we’ll have to see what that looks like at the end of the week. But any time you have more and more people come back, it’s encouraging.”

Emilus is just as antsy to get back into the Riders’ line-up.

“Feels amazing, man,” he said after practice Wednesday. “Now being out for three weeks, just being back outside with the boys, it feels amazing.”

The fifth-year slot back from Montreal sustained a foot injury in Week 8 against the Edmonton Elks.

He was listed as a game-time decision in Week 9, ultimately being removed from the line-up ahead of the rematch with Edmonton.

The following week, Emilus was moved to the six-game injured list as a precautionary measure.

“We just had to see what the result was of the injury,” the receiver admitted. “Once we had a result, we kind of have an idea of what the time on this one would be. Obviously, me being competitive, I wanted to play. But it was also really smart because it is a long season.”

The injury comes a season after Emilus spent several weeks on the injured list last year, too.

Still, he recovered in time to return for the playoffs and was huge in Saskatchewan’s 2025 Grey Cup championship victory – earning the game’s Most Outstanding Canadian.

Through six games this season, Emilus is nearing 500 receiving yards, registering 448 on 31 catches, including five touchdowns.

While out of the lineup, the Riders also lost Kian Schaffer-Baker to a knee injury and the offense was forced to turn to a crop of younger receivers to fill their spots.

“It’s tough,” Emilus said about watching games, rather than playing. “But thankfully guys stepped up. I missed three games, we won two. Guys that replaced us stepped up, and we saw what they can bring to the table. That’s big for the long run.”

In the two games without both Emilus and Schaffer-Baker, quarterback Trevor Harris threw 73 completions for 608 yards.

Rookie receivers Johnny Johnson III and Dylan Djete both notched their first career touchdowns over that stretch.

“There’s a reason why [Emilus] is one of the higher paid guys in the league, right,” Harris said. “It’s obviously a welcome sight [for him] to be back, but those guys have done a good job filling in for him and getting experience. Down the road, if they’re ever needed, we know we can count on them.”

Kick returner James Letcher Jr. is eligible to return from the six-game injured list this week. He’s been out with an injured arm since Week 4.

Three players – Zack Fry, Daniel Johnson and Quali Conley, who were on the one-game injured list last week, were all full participants as well Wednesday.

Saskatchewan will finalize Emilus’ status for Sunday’s game against the Lions on Saturday.