Riders take training camp indoors because of heavy smoke

The air quality in Saskatoon was so bad on Wednesday morning that it forced the Saskatchewan Roughriders to move their training camp indoors.

Players boarded buses at the University of Saskatchewan and were dropped off at the Saskatoon Sports Centre on the fourth day of training camp to ensure they didn’t miss a beat.

“We had to do it,” head coach Craig Dickenson said after practice on Wednesday.

“We checked the weather last night and you could see the smoke moved in, and then this morning it was the same. I want to give props to our equipment staff, training staff and football ops. They were able to get us into that facility on a moment’s notice.”

Because of the smoke, Dickenson said he created an alternate schedule so the players would know what would happen if they had to go inside.

Dickenson was also in constant contact with kicker Brett Lauther, who is a rep for the CFL Players’ Association (CFLPA), on Wednesday.

Lauther said he’s been in touch with association members in Edmonton, which also had to move its practice inside because of wildfire smoke. He explained why the Riders had to follow suit.

“Anytime it’s above an eight on the air quality scale, we can’t be outside practising. It’s not safe,” Lauther explained.

“It was at an 11 overnight, and even this morning it’s as high as it could go. It’s just a player safety thing.”

On Wednesday, the Calgary Stampeders ended up cancelling their practice altogether because of the thick smoke blanketing their city.

It wasn’t the first time veteran offensive lineman Peter Godber has had to deal with wildfire smoke.

“In 2021 we were in Kamloops, and the forest fires there were very bad at the time,” Godber said.

“We were in the real thick of things. We couldn’t see 100 yards away – it was real smoky. Coach Rick Campbell took care of us (and) cancelled some practices because it was real bad there.”

While the smoke took some of the action away from training camp on Wednesday, Lauther said he expects the players to be back on the field at Griffiths Stadium again Thursday.

“It’s supposed to clear up. I’m anticipating we’ll be back on the field once the time comes,” Lauther said. “As long as (the air quality index) is below an eight, we’ll be out there.”

Training Camp Day 4

The fourth day of training camp was the first practice held after the first round of cuts.

Jordan Beaulieu, Julius Faulk, Valentin Gnahoua, Alvin Jones Jr., Austin Joyner, David Kenney, Levi Lewis, Kooper Richardson, Tabashi Thomas and Marcus Webb were the 10 players cut from training camp.

The most noticeable name among the cuts was Richardson, who spent time on the Riders’ offensive line last season.

Dickenson explained what led to Richardson being cut.

“It was a tough cut,” the head coach said. “He’s been a good player for us, and a good teammate, but we just felt like we got a little better in camp.

“We want to give these new guys a look in the pre-season. We worked hard this off-season to upgrade, and I think this is one of the evidences of that.”

Despite being inside Wednesday, Dickenson said he was pleased with his group’s efforts.

Wednesday was also the first time the players made use of guardian helmets, a tool designed to absorb hits during practice and prevent head injuries like concussions.

Dickenson shared his thoughts on the new headgear.

“They’re kind of a goofy-looking thing, aren’t they? But they’re really good. I’ve read the research on them and I think they reduce concussions by a significant amount,” he said.

“When we say we care about players and player safety, we want to do everything we can to make sure we’re following that.”

Godber said he was impressed by the helmets.

“I’ve never had one of these on before. It makes the blow a little softer, and I heard one of the linemen say it’s like having a pillow on your head,” said Godber.

“It’s a little heavy, a little neck workout, but overall it’s pretty good.”

With the skies expected to clear up a bit in Saskatoon on Thursday, Dickenson confirmed the Riders will put the pads on again if they’re able to practise outdoors at Griffiths Stadium.