Rider receiver Dhel Duncan-Busby set for first CFL start

Dhel Duncan-Busby is set to be the next man up for the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

The rookie pass-catcher is set to start his first CFL game due to injuries plaguing the Canadian wide receiver room for the Riders, with Mitch Picton (ankle) and Ajou Ajou (knee) both expected to miss Saturday’s game against the Ottawa Redblacks.

Kickoff for the game is set for 1 p.m. and can be seen on CTV.

“It would mean the world. I’m just blessed to have the opportunity and I am excited to go out there with the guys and get a win,” the 24-year-old said.

Duncan-Busby had to come into the Riders’ 37-29 win over the Calgary Stampeders after Ajou went down with a knee injury. He went on to haul in two catches for 34 yards.

“It was nice to get out there. I wasn’t a huge fan of how it happened — I’m looking out there for my boy — but I’m just glad I got the opportunity and I did well enough they want to keep me on,” Duncan-Busby said.

The Vancouver, B.C., product missed the start of the season due to a hand injury that saw him on the six-game injured list before returning to practice in July. It was the first time Duncan-Busby has had to deal with an injury that kept him out for an extended period.

“It was tedious and a lot of work but it made me a better person from it,” Duncan-Busby said. “I was able to put a lot of things into perspective and stuff like that.”

Riders head coach Corey Mace is happy with what he has seen from Duncan-Busby so far.

“That’s a guy that kind of bided his time and he is getting an opportunity and making the most of it,” Mace said. “I’m really pleased with his play to this point and looking back to his college film, that was one of the things you starred next to his name — his ability to block on the perimeter.”

“The game doesn’t look too big for him and neither do the (defensive backs). He’s willing to mix it up for the greater good of the team so that’s exactly the mindset and the type of player that you want in the building.”

Duncan-Busby is set to join the starting lineup as the Riders try to build momentum and go on a run to not only qualify for CFL playoffs but maybe make some noise in it as well.

The Riders’ last win ended a seven-game winless slide and has helped Saskatchewan get closer to clinching a playoff spot for the first time since 2021.

“It’s super exciting. I don’t think I’ve had a losing season playing football so we want to get back to that .500 level and get a home game here,” Duncan-Busby said.

Notes: Linebacker C.J. Reavis (knee) was a non-participant for a second straight day. Defensive end Bryan Cox Jr. missed practice with an illness … Defensive tackle Anthony Lanier II (knee) and offensive lineman Jacob Brammer (knee) both logged full practices and could return to the lineup this week … The Riders signed defensive back Robert Jarvier. The New York product had signed with the NFL’s Tennessee Titans after going undrafted in the 2024 draft and attended training camp with the team.