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Mario Alford is back to provide a spark for the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
The dynamic kick returner has been out since July 7 with a hip injury. Prior to his injury, Alford was averaging 30.9 yards per kick return — that’s currently the second-highest average in the league (Hamilton Tiger-Cats returner Isaiah Wooden has a 31.1 average).
Read more:
- Rider Store packed as fans stock up before Labour Day Classic
- Find the latest Saskatchewan Roughriders news here
- The Blitz podcast with Jamie Nye and Britton Gray
Alford will return to the Riders lineup for the 60th Labour Day Classic on Sunday against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Kickoff for the game is set for 5 p.m. The Green Zone pregame show begins at 3 p.m.
“It’s about time. I have been waiting on this day. It feels pretty good to be back with the boys and the guys and the team. Just ready to roll,” Alford said.
Alford said he was close to being able to return to the lineup last week but the team wanted to take things slow with him.
“With the soft tissue injury, they want to be smart. We still have a long season and I want to be good down the stretch as well,” he said.
“Just played it safe and taking it easy for me. Gave me a week of limited practice last week before I went out here full-go.”
In his absence, Drae McCray handled the return duties but he also suffered an injury last week against Calgary.
It’s a big game for Alford to return, both historically and in the context of the season.
The Riders come into the Labour Day Classic with an 8-2 record and currently sit at the top of the CFL standings. They welcome in the rival Bombers, who have appeared in five straight Grey Cups.
The annual showdown has often been in the Riders’ favour, with the team holding a 38-21 record in the Labour Day Classic.
But things have gone the Bombers’ way in recent seasons, with Winnipeg winning three of the last four — Saskatchewan won back in 2023.
Winnipeg also dominated the Riders since 2021, winning 11 of the last 13 meetings between the two teams.
“We owe these guys. It’s huge, especially for our fan base. Just a great tradition and we are ready. We are pumped and it’s going to be a sell-out crowd. We can’t wait,” Alford said.
“They are a great team and they always find a way to come out on top in some kind of way. I think we will have their number this game and I hope down the road as well.”
In other depth chart news, Ajou Ajou has been added as a backup to Tommy Nield in the game. Ajou recently came back to Saskatchewan after being cut by the NFL’s Indianapolis Colts. He only had one practice before being added to the game day roster.
Safety Nelson Lokombo was added to the one-game injured list with a foot injury. Jaxon Ford will start a second-straight game at safety.
Kicker Brett Lauther, who missed parts of practice this past week due to the birth of his and his wife’s first child, is also set to play on Sunday.
(Saskatchewan Roughriders)
(Saskatchewan Roughriders)
Read more:
- Rider Store packed as fans stock up before Labour Day Classic
- Find the latest Saskatchewan Roughriders news here
- The Blitz podcast with Jamie Nye and Britton Gray
