‘Walking wounded’: Rest at a premium as Riders ready for Redblacks

The Saskatchewan Roughriders are trying to get some rest as they ready for the Ottawa Redblacks.

Saskatchewan head coach Craig Dickenson elected to give the team Monday off from on-field activities ahead of Friday’s home game against Ottawa. Kickoff for the game is set for 7:30 p.m. The Green Zone pre-game show begins at 5 p.m.

“I think this year I’m going to try and err on the side of rest and recovery over grinding them,” Dickenson said Tuesday. “I’m glad I did it.

“We wouldn’t have gotten anything out of (Monday). (Tuesday) was a stretch sometimes. They pushed through but it was not an easy time for them.”

The Riders were without a number of starters to begin the week of practice. Kicker Brett Lauther (hand/calf), slotback Duke Williams (hip) and defensive back Nick Marshall (knee) didn’t practise.

“We were beat up today. It’s a short week and we’re trying to make sure we can get to the game with the right guys,” Dickenson said. “We expect all three of them to play but we gave them the day off today.

“All three of them are legit injuries that we’re a little worried about. Hopefully they aren’t too bad.”

Quarterback Cody Fajardo believes the extra day of rest was the right call, saying it would be huge for them heading into Friday’s game.

“We’ve got another short week and we want to be able to respond. We are kind of the walking wounded; we’ve got some guys that are injured,” Fajardo said. “It’s next man up, so I think the guys are really excited.

“This Ottawa team is extremely talented. Their (0-3-0) record (doesn’t do) any justification for how good they really are.”

Fajardo is also dealing with an injury himself, with his left knee still in a brace. Fajardo was hoping to remove the brace following last week’s game against the Montreal Alouettes but he took another shot to the knee during the game.

“(I felt) better than expected when I woke up after the game. I was able to go out there and practise, which is also very encouraging. I’ve got the good old knee brace on still, which is unfortunate,” Fajardo said.

“I should be ready to go and just continue to maintain it and get the rehab I need to do to give it everything I can when we get on the field.

“(I’ll be in the brace) probably until the bye week, so that’s unfortunate.”

In the 41-20 win over Montreal, Fajardo threw for 224 yards and two touchdowns but the usually mobile quarterback only had one carry for a single yard in the game, albeit it for a touchdown.

“I’ve been a runner my whole life and it’s a big part of my game. When I’m not hitting the passes I want to hit and I can’t run, it’s very frustrating for me,” Fajardo said.

“I’m trying to hone in and be a little more of a pocket passer these last couple weeks so I’m excited about that — honing in and sharpening those skills as a passer.”

Lanier II, Robertson named CFL top performers

A pair of Riders defensive linemen were named CFL top performers of the week.

Defensive tackle Anthony Lanier II had three sacks and a forced fumble in the win over Montreal.

Robertson added two sacks and now has a league-leading seven in that category. He also had a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.

Riders sign former Western Mustang Jordan Beaulieu

Saskatchewan added to its national defensive back depth with the signing of Jordan Beaulieu.

Beaulieu spent 2021 with the Redblacks, appearing in five games. He was originally drafted by the Edmonton Elks in 2018. In 30 career CFL games, Beaulieu has recorded two tackles and 10 special-teams tackles.

The Montreal product played three seasons at Western University, recording 48 tackles, two sacks, two forced fumbles and two interceptions in 24 games.