6 days ago
Another injury forces Roughriders to shuffle lineup ahead of season opener
The Saskatchewan Roughriders are making a lineup change for Thursday's season opener as the Green and White host the Ottawa Redblacks in Week 1 of the CFL season.
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With right guard Jacob Brammer heading to the one-game injured list with a back injury suffered in practice this week, rookie Payton Collins will make his CFL debut at left tackle while Trevon Tate moves to left guard and Zack Fry to right guard.
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Logan Ferland will stay at centre with Jermarcus Hardrick manning the right tackle spot. Daniel Johnson will serve as the backup offensive lineman. Braydon Noll (head) has been placed on the one-game injured list.
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Along with Collins making his pro debut, the Roughriders opening week lineup features three more CFL rookies as defensive lineman Ali Saad and fullback Morgan Runge are making their professional debuts while defensive lineman Aaron Patrick is making his CFL debut after previously playing in the NFL.
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Other than that, the Roughriders lineup is filled with CFL veterans, including 35 players who spent time with the team last season.
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In fact, that roster continuity was noticed throughout training camp and into Week 1 of practice.
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'Having that continuity and cohesion, it allows you to hit the ground (running) a little bit faster,' Roughriders head coach Corey Mace said this week. 'It allows you to move a little bit quicker earlier in camp, so that you kind of get up to speed to where you need to be to start the season.
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'We're happy with the people that were retained in the building, coaches and players alike, to hopefully allow us to go out there and do what we're hoping to do on Thursday.'
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Quarterback Trevor Harris is back for his 13th season in the CFL and fourth with the Riders as he looks to continue to be one of the CFL's most accurate passers of all time.
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'Once we can get them in the open field and the ball to them on time, that's where I think we'll see some great things.'
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Behind Harris, Jake Maier will serve as the backup with Tommy Stevens on the roster as the short-yardage specialist. Jack Coan has been placed on the one-game injured list as a healthy scratch.
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Running back A.J. Ouellette returns for his second season in Green and White with veteran Thomas Bertrand-Hudon backing him up. Runge makes his debut at fullback with Albert Awachie (hip) heading to the one-game injured list.
