Injuries stretch Roughrider roster depth

Injuries and a trade gone wrong are testing the Roughriders offensive and defensive line depth in just week three of the season.

Notably missing from practice for another day were recent acquisition Matt Sewell and veteran offensive lineman Brendon LaBatte.

“(LaBatte) hurt himself this morning. I think at home,” head coach Chris Jones said at practice Tuesday.

He’s listed as day-to-day, and Jones couldn’t say if he’d be back for Friday’s game in Edmonton.

As for Sewell, the questions on whether he’ll come to Saskatchewan are over, as Jones confirmed he is on the team’s retired list.

Sewell was supposed to come to Saskatchewan with quarterback Mitchell Gale as part of a trade with Toronto that sent defensive lineman Shawn Lemon and a draft pick to the Argos.

With Chris Best and Matt Vonk on the six-game injured list, that leaves the team with only a few backups on the o-line including Hasan Hazime and first overall pick Josiah St. John, who only began practicing on Monday. 

But Best wasn’t the only injury update, as defensive lineman Jonathan Williams went down during a drill in practice. He was carted into the locker room with his leg wrapped. He’s out against the Eskimos, but Jones balked at the idea that it was a big blow to the team.

“One guy does not make a football team, so, I love Jonathan Williams to death, he’s a great guy, but again, we’ve got to get the next guy ready,” Jones said.

He wouldn’t say who that next guy may be, but possible fill-ins could include Kalonji Kashama, who was listed behind Williams on the depth chart in last Thursday’s game, or Ese Mrabure, who was listed behind fellow defensive tackle Corvey Irvin, or perhaps someone else entirely.

The Riders depth chart will be released before the game on Friday.