Changes coming to Riders’ defence for game against Ottawa

Changes are on the way to the Saskatchewan Roughriders’ defence.

The unit is not only dealing with some key injuries, but poor outings in its past two games.

In the Roughriders’ two straight losses — 51-6 to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the Banjo Bowl on Sept. 9 and 36-27 to the Edmonton Elks on Sept. 15 — the defence has given up 263 and 265 yards on the ground, respectively.

Saskatchewan will try to turn those fortunes around against the Ottawa Redblacks on Friday. Kickoff for the game in the nation’s capital is set for 5 p.m.

One of the big changes the Roughriders elected to make was to move Derrick Moncrief to safety, with C.J. Reavis starting at the strong-side linebacker position. Reavis started the first two games of the season at the position since Moncrief was hurt.

“I feel like my product has earned me the right to play more so I feel like I need to keep doing my job and playing at a high level,” Reavis said.

The 27-year-old linebacker said he and Moncrief are similar linebackers, so he already does many of the things the veteran can do.

“We can both bring physicality, we both can cover (and) we both can play in the box,” Reavis said. “Just the versatility with both of us being able to switch in and switch out is going to help us a lot.”

The switch to safety also shouldn’t be too much of a problem for Moncrief; it was the position he played during his time in college.

“I’m everywhere – whatever the call is. If someone goes down, I can play whatever,” said Moncrief, who replaces Jaxon Ford as the starting safety. “You make a lot more calls and checks (as a safety) and make sure everyone is in the right spot.

“I understand the ins and outs of the defence and where you can take chances at and where guys need to be. It’s a big job for me to do.”

There will be some changes the Riders are forced to make as the injury bug makes its way through the team.

Defensive end Anthony Lanier II (hip), defensive tackle Miles Brown (groin), defensive back Deontai Williams (hamstring), linebacker Justin Herdman-Reed (quads), defensive end Nic Dheilly, defensive back Nelson Lokombo (knee) and linebacker TJ Brunson (ankle) all out for the game.

Canadian Lake Korte-Moore will start at defensive end with Demarcus Christmas starting at defensive tackle. Defensive ends Christian Albright and Cody Roscoe also make their way onto the active roster.