O’Day says re-signing veteran centre Clark ‘highly unlikely’

After nearly 14 years in the Saskatchewan Roughriders organization, Dan Clark’s days with the CFL team may be over.

The 34-year-old Regina product hit the free-agent market Tuesday, and the Roughriders’ first signing of the day — Peter Godber — likely will replace Clark as Saskatchewan’s centre.

“We were very open with Dan that we were going to pursue other offensive linemen in there,” Roughriders general manager Jeremy O’Day said during a media availability Wednesday. “I think there’s still a conversation that we have to have with Dan just to let him know where we’re at coming out of free agency.”

Asked if there’s a chance Clark could still re-sign with the Roughriders, O’Day replied: “I’d never say there’s never a chance, but I would say going into camp, I think it’s highly unlikely.”

The Roughriders may have lost another free agent Wednesday, when The Canadian Press — quoting a CFL source — reported that linebacker Darnell Sankey had signed with the XFL’s Arlington Renegades.

Sankey spent one season in Saskatchewan, recording a CFL-high 120 defensive tackles in 2022 to set a single-season team record.

Saskatchewan bade farewell to nine free agents on Day 1 of free agency: Receivers Shaq Evans (Ottawa Redblacks), Justin McInnis (B.C. Lions), Kyran Moore (Edmonton Elks) and Duke Williams (Hamilton Tiger-Cats); offensive linemen Josiah St. John (Edmonton) and Terran Vaughn (Ottawa); quarterback Cody Fajardo (Montreal Alouettes); linebacker Gary Johnson Jr. (Ottawa); and, fullback James Tuck (Montreal).

The Lions announced the signing of former Roughriders linebacker Jordan Herdman-Reed on Wednesday.

Clark and Sankey are among 11 players who remain free agents after their contracts with Saskatchewan expired Tuesday.

The Roughriders re-signed one of their free agents Wednesday, coming to terms with defensive back Godfrey Onyeka on a one-year extension.

The man in the middle

Clark initially signed with the Roughriders in 2009 when he was a member of the PFC’s Regina Thunder. He spent time on Saskatchewan’s practice roster before making his CFL debut in 2012.

He has played 131 career regular-season games with the Roughriders, was named the team’s nominee for the CFL award as most outstanding offensive lineman in 2019, and won a Grey Cup with his hometown team in 2013.

He suffered a broken leg in Saskatchewan’s second game last season, but returned for the final four regular-season contests.

O’Day admitted it would be difficult to move on from the veteran centre.

“Dan might be the last player left that I played with as a player,” said O’Day, a former Roughriders O-lineman who retired in 2011.

“The guy is a Roughrider through and through. He emulates everything you want from a football player as far as play on the field, the toughness aspect, the leadership ability in the locker room, and also in the community.”

Sankey heading south?

According to The Canadian Press report, the source who suggested Sankey was going to the XFL spoke on the condition of anonymity as the Renegades had yet to announce the move, nor does the 28-year-old Sankey appear on the roster on the Renegades’ website.

Sankey also led the CFL in tackles in 2021, when he had 98 stops as a member of the Calgary Stampeders.

Onyeka back in Green and White

Onyeka dealt with a shoulder injury last season, limiting him to appearances in the final two games of the campaign.

The 28-year-old product of Brampton, Ont., played in nine games with the Riders in 2021, including the West Division final. He registered 24 defensive tackles that season.

Onyeka was taken in the second round (10th overall) by Edmonton in the 2019 CFL draft. He appeared in 27 games for the Elks, mostly as a special-teams contributor.

— With files from 980 CJME’s Britton Gray and The Canadian Press