Sterns returns to Riders’ roster for Saturday’s showdown against Elks

Jerreth Sterns is getting another chance to contribute to the Saskatchewan Roughriders in 2024.

The pass-catcher will return to the starting roster after an injury to slotback Shawn Bane Jr. in the team’s 29-16 win over the Ottawa Redblacks. Sterns last played in a game back in Week 10 against the Redblacks, and has 25 catches for 324 yards so far this season.

“I’ve been waiting for opportunities my whole football career, so it was nothing new for me,” Sterns said. “I was just waiting and praying for my opportunity to come again, and hopefully I make the most of it.”

The Riders take on the Edmonton Elks on Saturday. Kickoff for the game is set for 5 p.m.

Sterns developed some good chemistry with Riders quarterback Trevor Harris before the pivot was injured and put onto the six-game injured list with a knee injury. Sterns said he’s excited to hopefully pick things right back up again.

“He’s a veteran guy and an established guy in this league,” Sterns said. “He has done it for a long time at a high level, and he sees the defence really well, so I think my skill set kind of meshes with his because I’m just a smarter receiver and that’s how I pride myself.”

Sterns isn’t the only player looking to pick up where he left off. Linebacker C.J. Reavis is also back after missing last week’s game due to a knee injury. The 28-year-old Reavis leads the Riders with 70 tackles and has also added four sacks to his stat line.

“I feel great. Happy to be back. It was hard watching my guys go out there last week and play, but they did a hell of a job,” Reavis said. “I’m just happy to be back out there with them to fight.”

The last time these two teams met, the Elks managed 276 rushing yards in a 42-31 win over the Riders.

“They beat us bad last time. As a defence and a team, we don’t like that at all,” Reavis said. “We have a bad taste in our mouth.”

The Riders will be without defensive back Deontai Williams in this game. Williams has been suspended one game by the CFL for, “an illegal and dangerous tackle on Ottawa wide receiver Kalil Pimpleton, and for committing a non-football act by striking another Ottawa player.”

Defensive back Amari Henderson will line up at cornerback in Williams’ spot, while DaMarcus Fields is able to return to his halfback spot with Reavis back in the lineup.

On offence, running back Frankie Hickson will get the start, with Ryquell Armstead (shoulder) and AJ Ouellette (hip) both out this week.

If the Riders win and both the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and Calgary Stampeders lose, Saskatchewan will clinch a playoff spot for the first time since 2021.