The Saskatchewan Roughriders just can not seem to escape the injury bug and nearly each week, a key piece has been hurt; with some potentially being out long term. Kian Schaffer-Baker was the latest to end up on the injury report after a tackle in Saturday’s win over Edmonton caused a knee injury. Tevaughn Campbell sustained an arm injury – and in practice this week, Josh Woods tweaked an ankle to put his status into question. That is in addition to A.J. Ouellette, Rolan Milligan Jr., James Letcher Jr., Ali Saad, JuJu Hughes, Mathew Sexton and others already on the six-game injured list. Samuel Emilus, Zack Fry, Darius Bell and Nelson Lokombo are week-to-week. On Tuesday, head coach Corey Mace held his cards close to his chest about the full extent of some injuries – like Schaffer-Baker. “Injury wise fellas, I’m going to wait until the injury status report comes out,” he told reporters earlier this week. “It’s more timing for me, I like that.” When asked if any of the injuries suffered over the weekend were “long-term,” Mace again was reluctant to share. “We’ll see,” he answered. “I guess it depends on your definition of long-term.” Mace was asked about the piling injuries again Wednesday. This time his answer much cooler. “Before the season, if you could just circle it up and we can anticipate who’s going to get hurt – and when – that’d be awesome! But that’s just not how it goes,” he said. “That’s why you have a full roster – a full locker room – of people and they prepare themselves as if they have to play.” Despite all the injures, Saskatchewan remains second place in the CFL’s West division at 5-2, two points behind first place Edmonton. The Riders have a chance to catch the Elks Friday atop the standings in a matchup with last place Ottawa. Riders testing Canadian depth at receiver With injuries to Schaffer-Baker and Emilus, Saskatchewan has had to get creative with their Canadian-American ratio on offense. Recent Rider Canadian Draft picks Dhel Duncan-Busby Dylan Djete could see their roles elevated as veterans ahead of them on the depth chart come out of the line-up. “It’s a really big opportunity,” Duncan-Busby told reporters Wednesday. The third-year Vancouver-born receiver was selected in the third round of the 2024 CFL Draft. Last season, Duncan-Busby was relied upon with similar injury struggles hitting the receiver’s room. “I’ve kind of been in a role where I’ve had to be like a team player,” he admitted. “Now I have an opportunity to kind of take another step forward and that’s what I’m hoping to do.” Djete was picked 18th overall, in the second round, by Saskatchewan in the 2026 draft. He began the season on the injured list – an injury he sustained at the draft combine. After slotting onto the roster Saturday to replace Emilus, who was a game-time decision, Djete may get his first CFL start Friday against Ottawa. “It’s everything for me,” he said about seeing his first action of professional football last week. “I’ve been hurt – I got drafted hurt – so I’ve seen these guys practice for two months. But I worked hard to get there, I was in my playbook every night and I was able to finally get in there.” No matter who is in the game catching passes, quarterback Trevor Harris has the confidence in his receiving core to get the job done. “Most guys say, ‘next man up,’ but I try not to be a cliché person. Like what are you going to do? Not play with people,” Harris said. “We know who we are, everyone in this locker room is here for a reason and we have total faith in them.” Nelly nears return Some good news, however. Defensive back Nelson Lokombo could be back in the lineup this week. “It feels good,” he said about returning to practice. “It’s good to be back with the squad. I’m excited to get back.” The defensive back has been off and on the injured list a couple times already this season – only playing two games. With Milligan potentially out the remainder of the season and Campbell appearing out several weeks, Lokombo’s return can not come at a better time. “When you have injuries like that, they’re very tough,” he said. “But it is a ‘next man’ mentality and whoever is coming in to step up has to be ready.” Mace still saying Lokombo has a hurdle or two to clear before he can get back to the field, but was more than welcoming the injection of presence the veteran is in the secondary. “He’s practiced a couple weeks here and he’s looking better and better,” the coach said. “But, if we trend in that direction, it certainly would help us - having somebody, a veteran back there, who’s been able to play for us in the past. Ultimately there’s a few things in limbo here.” Rider fans will get some answers as to how long key pieces, like Schaffer-Baker, could be out when the team releases its depth chart for Friday’s tilt with the RedBlacks Thursday.
