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The hits kept coming for the Saskatchewan Roughriders this week.
As expected, both slotback Kian Schaffer-Baker (knee) and defensive back Tevaughn Campbell (forearm) were placed onto the six-game injured list after leaving the team’s 28-26 win over the Edmonton Elks with injuries.
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But when the team revealed its depth chart for Friday’s game against the Ottawa Redblacks, wide receiver Sam Emilus (foot) and fullback Albert Awachie (ankle) has also been placed on the six-game injured list.
“You never want a list to keep growing like that but what can we do about it? None of those guys want to get hurt. I would say looking at it, is there a bunch of season-ending (injuries)? No, which is good in my opinion,” Riders head coach Corey Mace said.
“In the meantime, whether we are bringing different guys in or relying heavily on the guys that we got, ball games will be played and we want to win those. People have to be ready for that.”
One of the players who could be thrust into a new role this week is linebacker Nick Wiebe. The former University of Saskatchewan Huskie has been taking reps on offence, as he could be called upon to play fullback with both Awachie and Morgen Runge on the six-game injured list.
Wiebe said the team knows it’s important to be able to play multiple positions, even on different sides of the ball.
“It’s preached in the locker room. It’s top-down. Coach Mace always preaches next man up and you have to do your job if you’re called to do it,” Wiebe said. “I try to be as much of a team guy as I can and they needed me here this week. I’m embracing it until they tell me not to anymore.”
The Riders will get defensive back Nelson Lokombo back this week, as he returns to the roster in place of Campbell.
Saskatchewan also signed kicker Dawson Hodge. The kicker spot has been one of the most criticized positions, with Alex Hale struggling this season, only hitting on 12 of 17 field goals and is just one of five from beyond 40 yards.
Hodge, a Coquitlam, B.C., product, handled both kicking and punting for Wilfrid Laurier, making 51 of 76 career field goal attempts.
The 24 year old attended training camp with the Calgary Stampeders this year. He was with the Riders and Toronto Argonauts in 2025. He appeared in one pre-season game for Saskatchewan, converting his lone 31-yard field goal attempt.
Mace said in the last week or so, the team was considering bringing in a kicker.
“It’ll engage some competition and give us options to look forward if it comes down to that,” Mace said. “That being said, Alex is our guy going out there this week and I am hoping, just like he is, that he’s going to nail everything. That’s the expectation. We’ve seen him do it.
“We were in a similar situation last year and you end up seeing how we ended up rolling that out. I have faith in Alex. We will see.”
Kickoff for the game against Ottawa is set for 7 p.m. The Green Zone pregame show begins at 5 p.m.
