Riders deal with wide receiver injuries to start practice week for Ottawa Redblacks

The Saskatchewan Roughriders could have an almost entirely new receiver group for Friday’s showdown against the Ottawa Redblacks.

When the team returned to practice on Monday after its 40-34 loss to the Toronto Argonauts, only one starting receiver from Week 1 – KeeSean Johnson – was a participant. Sam Emilus (ankle), Jaylen Johnson (shoulder), Dhel Duncan-Busby (shoulder) and Kian Schaffer-Baker (oblique) all were non-participants.

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Kickoff for the game in Ottawa is set for 5:30 p.m. The Green Zone pregame show begins at 3:30 p.m. on Friday.

But head coach Corey Mace doesn’t believe too much should be read into it.

“I think for the most part we got pretty good news, from an injury standpoint,” Mace said. “We will see how the week progresses but it’s good that no matter who we put out there, it’s good everyone gets reps.”

Early in their game against Toronto, the Riders lost returner James Letcher Jr. That led to Emilus returning punts, which eventually led to him also suffering an injury.

“Nobody is super long-term. No season-ending (injuries), which is awesome,” Mace said positively.

Running with the starters on Monday were Daniel Wiebe, Johnny Johnson III, Mathew Sexton and D’Sean Mimbs.

In spite of the injury list, quarterback Trevor Harris questioned why fans were making a big deal about it.

“Last year, we lost Sam and Schaffer for the whole season essentially. Sam played seven games and (Kian) played essentially two and wasn’t super healthy for the games he played. Dohnte (Meyers) was out at the end of the year and KeeSean missed the last five,” Harris said. “It’s not like it’s something new for us. If they can’t play, come to work, get better every day, get on the same page. There’s no such thing as over-communication. Keep talking through things and go out and execute.”

With a healthy receiver group, Harris has been one of the top-producing quarterbacks in the CFL, currently third in yards (1.175) and tied for second in touchdowns (8). One of those touchdowns came from first-year wide receiver Daniel Wiebe, who made his CFL debut this past week. He hauled in two passes for 48 yards and a touchdown.

The Saskatoon product shared how much it means to be able to play for the Riders.

“Rider fans are the best ever out there. It has been crazy growing up and watching the game and coming to games at the stadium and watching and now playing for them. It means a lot. It means so much,” Wiebe said.

He also said he always pictured himself catching touchdown passes at Mosaic Stadium.

“I’ve wanted to play pro ball for as long as I could remember,” Wiebe said. “Growing up in Sask., it’s what you want to be doing. To be able to do it, it means a ton, and I just want to keep building.”

The Riders could be getting close to having running back A.J. Ouellette back, as he logged a limited practice with his ankle injury.