Riders return to camp as attention turns to Elks

With a quick turnaround between preseason games, the Saskatchewan Roughriders were back at Griffiths Stadium on Wednesday.

The Riders are coming off of a 25-12 preseason win over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on Monday at Mosaic Stadium.

Saskatchewan plays the Edmonton Elks on Saturday. Kickoff for the game at Commonwealth Stadium is set for 2 p.m.

“It was good,” head coach Corey Mace said after practice. “The compete here was high. It was going back and forth – offence and defence making plays.

“It was good to see the guys back out here. Some guys were nicked and bruised from the game, but they pushed through, so it was good to see.”

Mace has to find a way to balance intensity and competition while getting the team ready for Saturday’s game.

That's a wrap in another day of #Riders training camp.

Myself and @ShaneC06 discuss what we saw at Griffiths Stadium. #CFL pic.twitter.com/pOw5ZMHxJh

— Britton Gray (@BrittonGray) May 22, 2024

“We have to be smart as a staff and making sure these guys are available. We’re trying to incorporate a mentality here,” Mace said. “You do have to find that balance in putting it together.”

Mace said the pads will be back on for Thursday’s practice.

“It’s about practising smart from that standpoint but still be able to get our work in,” he said.

As the Riders took to the field, all of the quarterbacks were accounted for. Trevor Harris, Mason Fine, Shea Patterson, Jack Coan and Antonio Pipkin all were throwing passes.

Fine had left the preseason game without throwing a pass, but one of the big plays of the day on Wednesday came when he hit running back Frankie Hickson in stride for a touchdown pass.

“No matter who’s back there at quarterback, (the offence) needs to move efficiently,” Mace said. “Mason is going to be healthier to take more snaps as well.

“It’s a heavy competition and those guys know that. They are battling their tails off.”

The defence also got a bit healthier, with defensive back Amari Henderson and linebacker C.J. Reavis back on the field Wednesday. Both are presumed starters.

Riders sign defensive back

Saskatchewan has signed a new defensive back to the training camp roster.

Nicario Harper – a six-foot, 205-pound product of Atlanta, Georgia – joins Saskatchewan after playing 12 games with the University of Illinois last season, where he recorded 50 tackles, two tackles for loss, three pass deflections and an interception.

Harper spent three seasons with Jacksonville State University from 2020 to 2022.

The Riders released American linebacker KD Davis in a corresponding roster move.