Jake Maier to start for Saskatchewan Roughriders against B.C. Lions

The Saskatchewan Roughriders will be playing without quarterback Trevor Harris on Saturday.

Harris, 39, was added to the one-game injured list after he missed two days of practice due to an illness and a head injury.

“We did have a long week after the game last week, but just mapping out the (concussion) protocol, it didn’t line up,” head coach Corey Mace said. “We’ve got a lot of confidence in Jake, and we are moving into a bye week as well so a lot of things went into it, but ultimately with those, you don’t really want to risk it.

“There are proper steps to follow, and the timeline didn’t match up.”

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Jake Maier will start in his place against the B.C Lions at Mosaic Stadium. The Riders traded for the rights to Maier during the offseason in a deal with the Calgary Stampeders.

“As a backup quarterback on any team, you never know when your number is going to be called,” Maier said after the walkthrough on Friday. “I guess for the team, it’s bittersweet because you want to make sure everyone is ready to go and healthy and ready to play. Given the circumstances of the week and how it has all played out, I’m ready to step in and do what I can for the team.”

Maier provides veteran experience at the quarterback position, having started 45 games for the Stamps during his time there. In his career, Maier has thrown for 11,685 yards, 60 touchdowns and 39 interceptions.

The move to the Riders reunited Maier with Marc Mueller, who was the quarterbacks coach in Calgary for a majority of Maier’s time there. That means he has a good grasp of the system in Saskatchewan, where Mueller is the offensive co-ordinator.

“I had a lot of years in this system. The terminology over the years is pretty consistent, and I’ve been fortunate enough at a young age to play a lot of games and a lot of snaps in this offence,” Maier said.

“Whether I know more or less (than Harris), I don’t know. Trevor masters any offence he is in, and that’s what I strive to do too. Fortunately for me, I have a lot of years in this system and there’s no surprises really.”

The 28-year-old admits he needed this opportunity for a fresh start in the league.

“It is very refreshing and it feels good for myself and my family to know I am supported here by the staff, by the organization, by new teammates and you don’t take that for granted because you don’t know when your last game or last season is going to be in pro sports,” Maier said.

“That’s the nature of the beast. You know what you sign up for, so when you’re surrounded by great people, it makes that process easier.”

Jack Coan will come onto the roster as the backup quarterback.

Linebacker Melique Straker won’t play due to an injury. Defensive end Benoit Marion comes onto the roster along with linebacker Antoine Brooks Jr. Defensive tackle Caleb Sanders was also added to the one-game injured list.

Kickoff for the game is set for 5 p.m.