Riders’ Hughes to start final game of 2022, vows to play in ’23

Charleston Hughes isn’t viewing Saturday’s game as the final chapter of his CFL career.

“I would say it’s the final game of the season, but for next year, I still have a lot of stuff I can do on the field. I felt like I played great when I was on the field (in 2022) — I have the stat line to prove it,” the Saskatchewan Roughriders defensive end said.

“If you look at the amount of plays that I played this year compared to the amount of plays I made on the field, I’ve still got it.”

Hughes has been put back into the starting lineup for the Roughriders’ 2022 finale against the Calgary Stampeders on Saturday. Saskatchewan isn’t going to the CFL playoffs, so this is its last game of the year.

Kickoff for the game at McMahon Stadium is set for 6 p.m. The Green Zone pre-game show begins at 4 p.m.

In 11 CFL games this season, Hughes has seven tackles, four quarterback sacks and three forced fumbles.

“There ain’t a doubt in my mind that I’m one of the best defensive ends in this league,” he said. “Maybe if I was fortunate enough to play as much as other guys, I would be leading the league in sacks.”

The 34-year-old hasn’t played since Sept. 30 and hasn’t been on Saskatchewan’s depth chart, either.

“We’ve been moving guys in and out on the defensive line all year. Special-teams value is one reason we didn’t play him as much,” head coach Craig Dickenson said. “When Pete (Robertson) and A.C. (Leonard) were healthy and we needed more special teams, we would go with a different guy.”

Hughes said it’s up to the coaches to make the decisions when it comes to what will help the team win.

“If that’s me being on the sideline and coaching guys up and helping them put their best foot forward, then that’s what needs to be called,” Hughes said.

Hughes will try to help a Riders’ pass rush that has struggled in recent weeks. Saskatchewan has recorded just one sack over its past three games.

“It just has a lot to do with the flow of the game. A lot of teams have been running the ball on us lately and try to avoid passing. They have been stacking the box as much as possible and try to slow Pete, A.C. and (Anthony) Lanier,” Hughes said.

“It’s tough getting to the quarterback when a team is having success with the run and stacking the box and chipping (pass-rushers) and making sure you can’t pass rush as much as possible.”

Hughes spent the first 10 years of his CFL career with the Stamps, so he always enjoys heading back to Calgary for a game.

“It’s always nice to go there. I have some friends there that are rooting for me and hoping I can step on the field for this game so they can cheer me on,” Hughes said. “It’s going to be a great experience.”