It will be a battle of the best of the west against the beasts of the east tonight in the Canadian Football League when the Saskatchewan Roughriders meet the Montreal Alouettes.
Both teams sit atop of their respective divisions at 5-1, but the two squads will be dealing with significant injuries this week.
Saskatchewan will be without running back AJ Ouellette, who is out with a hip injury. Frankie Hickson will come off the practice roster and take Ouellette’s spot in the lineup. In his first season with the Roughriders, the 29-year-old is third in the CFL with 389 rushing yards through six games.
Canadian receiver Kian Schaffer-Baker will be sidelined with a shoulder injury. American Keesean Johnson will start in his place. Rookie receiver Ajou Ajou came in relief for Schaffer-Baker and had four receptions for 110 yards, Ajou will be a backup this week.
Amari Henderson will make his 2024 debut, replacing Deontai Willams at cornerback. Henderson has suited up in 29 games for the green and white over the last two seasons (2022-23).
On the other side, the Montreal Alouettes will turn to Caleb Evans at quarterback with former Roughrider Cody Fajardo placed on the six-game injured list with a hamstring injury. Last year, Evans started for the Alouettes against the Roughriders leading them to a victory with 149 passing yards and a touchdown with 69 rushing yards and pair of rushing touchdowns.
Fajardo and Roughriders quarterback Trevor Harris will both miss their second straight matchups against the old teams with both players sidelined in the lone matchup between the Roughriders and Alouettes in 2023.
Montreal will pay a visit to Mosaic Stadium on Friday, August 16. Harris could return to the Roughriders roster before that contest, while Fajardo’s status is very much up in the air.