Riders coming out of bye week to prepare for matchup against Elks

A Saskatchewan Roughriders helmet can be seen in this file photo

Following their 38-7 win over the Hamilton Tiger Cats on July 12, the Riders are now leading the CFL’s West Division with a 4-1 record. Coming off a bye week, the Riders will now face the Edmonton Elks on Thursday.

“I think the offence, it really just comes down to healthy,” former Roughrider Wes Cates told CTV News’ Lee Jones during X’s and O’s. “At the end of the day, offensively, you’ve got one of the most accurate and quickest release quarterbacks in the league, if not the most accurate, and then also you’ve got a strong up-front O line.”

“Everybody looks good there, and then and everybody loves A.J. Ouellette at the running back position. So as far as offence goes, I’m not too worried at all about the Riders.”

On the defensive end of things, Cates said the team is improving, with linebacker Antoine Brooks Jr. leading the way.

“There’s obviously been some injuries, and then we worry a little. There’s some question marks still about which ends are going to be in the rotation,” he said.

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“The linebackers have stepped up, made big plays, had big games. Last week, you got the big return from Woods, and then Antoine Brooks Jr. has been making big plays.”

Cates said the defence that was a bit of a question mark at the beginning of the season is now coming together and stepping up to perform above expectations.

“The linebacking core has been keeping that defensive group together,” he noted.

However, when it comes to special teams, Cates said there are some concerns there.

“[Alex Hale] is not somebody that you’re definitely trusting in right now, but we’ve got time. The offence is scoring enough touchdowns, and the defence is playing well enough that we can work with Alex right now, give him a little grace period,” he said.

“If it comes to the wire later on in the season, maybe you think about bringing somebody in. But he has a big enough leg, and I think maybe he just needs some good coaching, and he should be able to work his way through.”

Kickoff for Thursday’s game is set for 7 p.m. at Mosaic Stadium.