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It could be a battle of the backup quarterbacks this week between the Saskatchewan Roughriders and the BC Lions at Mosaic Stadium.
Saskatchewan will turn to Jake Maier as the starting quarterback on Saturday for the first time since acquiring the 28-year-old from the Calgary Stampeders. Trevor Harris will miss this week’s game (Head/Illness).
Unlike Mason Fine, Jake Dolegala and Shea Patterson, the previous quarterbacks who were behind Harris on the depth chart, Maier will possess plenty of starting experience under centre. The former Stamp was the starting quarterback in Calgary for the last two seasons. In 2023, he led the Canadian Football League (CFL) in the passing completions and attempts and finished third in the league in passing yards. Between 2022-24, Maier started 40 consecutive games (38 regular season and 2 playoff games).
Following this week, the Roughriders will head into their first bye week of the year and will return to action on Friday, July 11 against the Stampeders in Regina.
The change at quarterback will mark the only change to the Roughriders starting lineup this week.
Wide Receiver Samuel Emilus will miss a second straight week. Last week Dohnte Meyers emerged as the top target with eight catches for 124 yards and a touchdown.
Defensive lineman Caleb Sanders will also miss Saturday’s game. Even though he’s listed behind both Micah Johnson and Mike Rose, Sanders was named to the CFL’s honour roll for Week 3 as the top defensive lineman. Canadian Benoit Marion will be on the roster this week to replace Sanders.
On the other side, the BC Lions could also turn to their backup quarterback as Nathan Rourke has been listed as a game-time decision for tomorrow. Rourke missed last week’s game against Winnipeg after he suffered a core injury during Week 2.
During practice this week, Rourke was limited during the first two days before he missed Thursday’s workout. If the Canadian can’t go, then it will be Jeremiah Masoli starting in his place. Against Winnipeg, Masoli had 281 passing yards with one touchdown and two interceptions.
The Roughriders along with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers (3-0) are the lone undefeated teams in the Western Division heading into the weekend after the Blue Bombers beat the Edmonton Elks on Thursday night.