Back in Blake: Riders’ offensive lineman to make 2023 debut

One of the Saskatchewan Roughriders’ biggest free-agent signings of the off-season will be on the roster Friday for the first time this CFL regular season.

Offensive lineman Philip Blake has been put on the team’s depth chart as the sixth offensive lineman for the Riders’ game against the Edmonton Elks. Kickoff for the game at Mosaic Stadium is set for 7:30 p.m.

“It feels good. It has been a long 12 weeks,” Blake said Thursday. “It’s something you don’t plan on going through, but you understand it’s part of the game so you just take it day by day and go from there.”

Blake signed with the Riders in the off-season, marking his second stint with the team. He was with the Riders from 2018 and ’19 before signing with the Toronto Argonauts in 2020. He won a Grey Cup with the Argos last season.

Blake suffered a torn pectoral muscle in the Riders’ second pre-season game and hasn’t dressed since.

“I was trying to push a guy out and I guess my hand slipped and I felt a little pop,” Blake said.

While Blake was one of the Riders’ top free-agent signings, head coach Craig Dickenson said the coaches have liked the play of guards Evan Johnson and Logan Ferland.

“We feel like Philip is a guy we want on the field but he is coming off an injury and we feel like in a week or two, he pushes those guys for the starting spot. But right now, we feel like his best spot is coming in as the sixth,” Dickenson said.

The 37-year-old Blake does also offer versatility to the Riders, having the ability to play any of the five positions along the line.

“We’ve thought about (playing Blake at tackle) and it’s something we can do if we need to,” Dickenson said.

Peter Godber is to start at centre against the Elks, with Ferland and Johnson at the guard spots and Brandon Council and Eric Lofton at the tackle positions.

While Blake won’t start the game, the eight-year CFL veteran has been helping the younger members of the group as they have made their way through the 2023 season.

“There are going to be some growing pains and learning pains but that’s the fastest way you learn,” Blake said. “I tell guys, ‘You don’t lose, you learn.’ ”

Also making his Riders debut this week will be defensive back Trumaine Washington, who’s to replace Deontai Williams (hamstring) in the secondary.

Washington signed with the Riders on July 25 after playing the 2023 XFL season with the Orlando Guardians. He led the CFL in interceptions in 2021 with Edmonton before spending the 2022 season with the Calgary Stampeders.

“It feels good and exciting to finally be up,” Washington said. “It’s kind of frustrating having to wait your turn and stay in the weight room and come to practice and run around and stay in shape.

“When you finally get your name called, you have to be ready to perform.”

While Blake has played for the Riders before, it will be the first time Washington comes out onto the field at Mosaic Stadium with Saskatchewan.

“I’m excited. I have been to all the home games (this season). I know it’s going to be packed,” Washington said. “I’m just ready to put on a show.”