Saskatchewan Roughriders head coach Corey Mace admitted it's a tough day when they make final cuts. (Saskatchewan Roughriders/submitted)

Riders hit the field as preparations begin for CFL season opener

By Britton Gray Jun 1, 2025 | 4:05 PM

Even in his second CFL season as a head coach, Corey Mace doesn’t believe cut-down day gets any easier.

Mace and his staff let 17 players know on Saturday that their time with the Riders came to an end after the team made their final cuts ahead of the 2025 CFL regular season.

“It’s a tough day. I can’t speak to every organization but for us, you get to know these guys on a bit of a deeper level. That’s our decision to do that, knowing the (inevitability) of making final cuts but it never makes it easier,” Mace said.

“It’s not an awesome day until you get that first team meeting and you are happy about it. It’s a tough day.”

With the Riders returning almost all of their starters from 2024, Mace admitted the roster shaped out mostly how he thought it would.

He said there were still some tough battles out there in camp.

“I thought we had some really good depth in camp and I think certainly if you look at the roster and guys who are potentially waiting in the wings there, there were some playmakers and really good players,” Mace said.

One of the players who made the active roster this season is second-year CFLer Daniel Johnson. The offensive lineman joined the Riders in May of last season after attending mini-camp with the NFL’s Indianapolis Colts.

“It feels amazing,” Johnson said. “It’s been a tough past year with my body and trying to figure it out and get healthy and get back to where I want to be. Now that I have had that offseason, I feel like I am back and climbing to where I want to be and get better every single day.

“I’m grateful that they chose me to be on the team and to be a part of something great.”

Johnson could see some playing time early this season as Jacob Brammer left Monday’s practice with a back injury. Johnson, a product of Kenya who grew up in Ontario and qualifies as a national, took the first-team reps with Brammer gone.

“You just always have to be ready and stay ready, so when they call your number you are ready to roll,” Johnson said.

One of the decisions the Riders made was keeping all four quarterbacks on the active roster — Trevor Harris, Jake Maier, Tommy Stevens and Jack Coan.

“We loved these guys. They are great — I thought Jack played a really good preseason game and he has been showing his skill-set throughout camp and throughout his time with us since he has been here. We wanted to see if there was a way we could get all four and I’m glad we got that done,” Mace said.

But time moves quickly in the CFL as the Riders will host the Ottawa Redblacks on Thursday at Mosaic Stadium to kick off the regular season. Kickoff for the game is set for 7 p.m. The Green Zone pregame show begins at 5 p.m.

News and notes

Safety Jaxon Ford had a cast on his right hand for practice. He was still participating in special team drills.
Defensive end Shane Ray was listed as a limited participant in practice as he has been dealing with a twisted ankle. He appears ready to go for this week, however.

The #Riders took to the field as the team prepares for the Ottawa Redblacks in the #CFL season opener.@BrittonGray brings you an update from practice in The Daily Blitz. pic.twitter.com/JvIVZ9FaSj

— The Green Zone (@GreenZoneSK) June 1, 2025