It was a case of good news and bad news regarding the Saskatchewan Roughriders injury situation following Week 1 of the 2025 Canadian Football League (CFL) season.
The Roughriders (1-0) head to Hamilton (0-1) for a matchup against the Tiger-Cats on Saturday.
In the season-opening victory, the Roughriders managed to prevail over the Ottawa Redblacks despite losing the services of defensive back Rolan Milligan, running back AJ Ouellette, wide receiver Kian Schaffer-Baker, and offensive tackle Payton Collins.
There was some good news this week as both Milligan (neck) and Ouellette (head) were cleared to practice and will be back in the starting lineup for the green and white on Saturday.
The news was not all good, as Schaffer-Baker was placed on the six-game injured list. Linebacker CJ Avery (bicep) will also head to the six-game injured list, and Collins was placed on the one-game injured list.
Thomas Bertrand-Hudon, who replaced Ouellette in the lineup last Thursday and chipped in with a pair of touchdowns, will be out this week with a groin injury. Stepping in his place will be Ka’Deem Carey who signed with the Roughriders earlier this week after he was released by the Toronto Argonauts after training camp. Carey rushed for 1,060 yards with the Argonauts last year. The 32-year-old led the CFL in rushing in 2021 & 2022.
With the injuries, the Roughriders are forced to make some changes to their starting lineup. Jacob Brammer will return to the roster after missing Week 1. He will start at right guard. Daniel Johnson, who replaced Collins last week, will get his first start at left tackle. With Trevon Tate starting at left guard, Saskatchewan will have four starters on the offensive line. Logan Ferland is the lone Canadian at centre with Zach Fry dressing as the sixth offensive lineman.
At wide receiver, three Canadians will start including Samuel Emilus who had an impressive start to his season with eight catches for 133 yards and a touchdown against Ottawa. Dhel Duncan-Bisby and Mitch Picton will also start. With the injury to Schaffer-Baker, Keesean Johnson will bump inside this week to slot back after lining up at wide receiver last week.
On defense, the only change will be AJ Allen replacing Avery at linebacker. The other two starting national players on defense are Safety Nelson Lokombo and cornerback Tevaughn Campbell.
Hamilton is coming off a season-opening 38-26 loss to the Calgary Stampeders last week. The Tiger-Cats defense struggled allowing 428 total yards to the Stamps. Bo-Levi attempted 50 passes against his former team and ended up with 304 passing yards and a touchdown in the loss. Kenny Lawler had six catches for 87 yards and a touchdown in Tigers-Cats debut.
Saturday’s game will be Hamilton’s home opener. Last year, the Roughriders swept the season series against the Tiger-Cats with a pair of early-season victories. In 2023, Hamilton prevailed in the lone contest between the two clubs.