Next man up: Injuries force shuffling along Riders’ O-line

The hits keep coming to the Saskatchewan Roughriders’ offensive line.

Offensive tackle Jerald Hawkins went home and underwent surgery on his quad and is expected to be out for a whole.

As the Riders prepare for their Thursday showdown with the Edmonton Elks, centre Peter Godber (hand) and tackle Colin Kelly (illness) haven’t practised this week. Kickoff for the game is set for 7 p.m.

“We talk about it all the time – it’s just next man up,” said centre Logan Bandy, who had to play guard for the first time ever in a game when he was thrust into the position due to the Hawkins injury against Calgary.

“We don’t blink. We’re always ready to go.”

Bandy, who started 11 games last season at centre due to an injury to Dan Clark, has taken the reps at centre leading into the game against Edmonton due to Godber’s absence.

This will be the second time the two west division clubs meet this CFL season, with the Riders emerging from Commonwealth Stadium with a 17-13 win in Week 1.

“They are a really solid defence. Their D-line is really strong – any problems they have, it’s not with the defence,” Bandy said. “They are really strong and have a really strong group, especially up front. We have to watch the film, especially the last couple of weeks, because they are going to battle.”

With Hawkins out and Kelly questionable for the game, Brandon Council and Eric Lofton could find their way back into the lineup.

Both were the team’s starting tackle for the first two games of the season while Hawkins dealt with a personal matter and Kelly was suspended by the CFL due to testing positive for a banned substance.

“It’s a professional game,” Council said. “You’ve got to be ready when your name is called no matter what happens.

“You hate it when guys get hurt. You don’t wish that upon nobody.”

Council is in his first CFL season with the 26-year-old playing with the Auburn Tigers in college and then attending mini-camp with the New York Jets.

“You learn that you have to take every opponent seriously,” Council said. “Everyone is good (in the CFL). Edmonton has a great defence so you have to study and be ready to play and play your best.”

Lofton has been in the CFL since 2017, appearing in nine games.

While the offensive line has faced a lot of shuffling early in the season, head coach Craig Dickenson is happy with how they have responded to the adversity.

“I think it’s a resilient bunch – next man up mentality for sure,” Riders head coach Craig Dickenson said. “They really enjoy playing together. It’s a really nice group.”

Notes: Defensive back Amari Henderson and defensive end Pete Robertson both returned to practice Monday. They missed day one due to flight issues … The Riders’ injury report remained lengthy with linebacker Matt Dean (foot), defensive end Anthony Lanier II (foot), slotback Jake Wieneke (knee), defensive back Rolan Milligan Jr. (back), defensive back Rodney Clemons (ankle), linebacker TJ Brunson (illness), and long-snapper Jorgen Hus (illness) all missing practice as well … Safety Jayden Dalke (back) was a full participant Tuesday.