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The Saskatchewan Roughriders finalized their roster Saturday, adding 13 players to the practice roster while releasing 19 others ahead of the start of the 2026 CFL season.
The moves comes just over 24 hours after training camp wrapped up at Mosaic Stadium, where coaches spent the final day evaluating talent before making some difficult decisions.
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All four quarterbacks remain on the Roughriders roster in starter Trevor Harris, Jack Coan and Brayden Schager battling for the backup job, as well as short-yardage option Tommy Stevens. A decision will need to be made on who will dress heading into the team’s first game of the season on June 13 with a maximum of three quarterbacks allowed on an active roster per game day.
Among the players earning practice roster spots were receiver and return specialist Mathew Sexton, receiver Johnny Johnson III and running back Quali Conley, three players who made strong cases for themselves during the pre-season.
Sexton finished tied for the team lead in pre-season receiving with nine catches for 112 yards while also contributing on special teams. Johnson III made the most of his opportunities, hauling in four catches for 64 yards and a touchdown. Conley added 43 rushing yards on 13 carries over two exhibition games.
Several Saskatchewan athletes were among those affected by the final roster decisions.
Former University of Regina Rams defensive back Carson Sombach was listed as a return-to-school transaction. Sombach was one of the local stories of training camp after earning an opportunity with the Riders following his standout university career.
A return to school designation allows the club to retain a player’s rights for a future season while keeping the player off the active roster.
Meanwhile, University of Saskatchewan athlete Daniel Wiebe earned a practice roster spot. Wiebe made the most of limited opportunities during the pre-season, recording two catches for 10 yards and a game-winning touchdown on his former home turf.
Big River-born offensive lineman Connor Klassen was among the players released.
One of the more notable cuts was running back Mario Anderson Jr., who led the Riders in pre-season rushing with 65 yards on 10 carries. Also released were receivers Juwann Winfree, Siaosi Mariner, Javian Hester and Abdul Janneh Jr.
Saskatchewan also decided to cut kicker Jonathan Kim, as well as Jesse Mirco who handled punting duties for the team late in the season and won a Grey Cup last year.
The complete list of players is:
Added to practice roster
- American running back Quali Conley
- American linebacker David Gbenda
- National defensive lineman Liam Hoskins
- American defensive back Juju Hughes
- National offensive lineman Jez Janvier
- American receiver Johnny Johnson III
- American defensive back Seyi Oladipo Jr.
- American defensive lineman Jaylen Pate
- American offensive lineman Thomas Perry
- American receiver Mathew Sexton
- Global linebacker Tyron Vrede
- National receiver Daniel Wiebe
- American offensive lineman Jaison Williams
Retired or return to school
- National linebacker Osasere Odemwinge
- National defensive back Carson Sombach
Moved to one-game injured list
- National defensive lineman Benoit Marion
Moved to six-game injured list
- National offensive lineman Darius Bell
- National receiver Dylan Djete
Released
- American running back Mario Anderson Jr.
- American defensive lineman Sundiata Anderson
- American defensive lineman Chico Bennett Jr.
- American offensive lineman Spencer Brown
- American defensive back James Burgess Jr.
- American receiver Javian Hester
- American long snapper Reed Hughes
- American receiver Abdul Janneh Jr.
- American linebacker Vi Jones
- American kicker Jonathan Kim
- National offensive lineman Connor Klassen
- American receiver Siaosi Mariner
- National receiver Shemar McBean
- Global punter Jesse Mirco
- American defensive back Benny Sapp III
- National defensive back Trae Tomlinson
- American defensive lineman Davin Vann
- American defensive back Steven Weston Jr.
- American receiver Juwann Winfre
The transactions finalized Saskatchewan’s roster as the defending Grey Cup champions prepare to open their 2026 regular-season on June 13 against BC Lions after their bye in week 1.
