Roughriders sign former CFL all-star Duke Williams

The Saskatchewan Roughriders are turning to a Duke in an effort to jazz up their passing game.

The CFL team announced Monday it had signed former CFL all-star Duke Williams, who starred with Edmonton before spending the past three seasons in the NFL.

The 6-foot-3, 225-pound Williams signed with Edmonton in 2017. In 2018, he had 88 catches for 1,579 yards and 11 touchdowns to lead the CFL in both categories. He was named a CFL all-star that season.

Williams signed with the Buffalo Bills in January of 2019 and played five regular-season games, catching 12 passes for 166 yards and one touchdown. He also appeared in two playoff games, making four receptions for 49 yards.

Williams is destined for the Roughriders’ suspended list while he completes his COVID-19 quarantine.

Saskatchewan’s passing game has been lacking a consistent deep threat, something which frustrated quarterback Cody Fajardo during Saturday’s 23-17 loss to the Calgary Stampeders.

“We just need to find a guy who can go down and make a play other than (Kian) Schaffer-Baker who’s going to draw a double team,” Fajardo told reporters after the contest. “So that’s the biggest thing.

“We know Shaq (Evans) is coming close (to returning from injury) but we can’t count on that. He’s still a game or two away so we have to find somebody to get some confidence with the deep ball.”

The Roughriders are to return to the practice field Tuesday.