Riders sign former East Division Most Outstanding Rookie WR Shemar Bridges

Shemar Bridges will be looking to recapture his 2024 form as he joins the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

The 6-foot-4, 208-pound wide receiver has signed a contract with the Green and White. Bridges burst onto the scene in 2024 as the Jacksonville, Fla., product recorded 83 catches for 933 yards and four touchdowns with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

That performance saw him named the East Division nominee for Most Outstanding Rookie.

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His production dipped in 2025, as he only had 34 catches for 361 yards and two touchdowns in 18 games. The 28-year-old also recorded four catches for 33 yards and a touchdown in last year’s East Final.

This season, he hadn’t played for the Ti-Cats as he has dealt with a hip injury. He returned to full practice ahead of Week 11 in the CFL. He was released by Hamilton on Aug. 19.

Prior to joining the CFL, Bridges signed with the Baltimore Ravens as an undrafted free agent following the 2022 NFL Draft. He attended training camp with the Ravens in 2023 as well.

Bridges played three seasons (2019-21) at Fort Valley State University with the Wildcats. He had 92 receptions for 1,358 yards and seven touchdowns.

He provides some depth to a Riders receiver group that has dealt with the injury bug in recent weeks. Kian Schaffer-Baker (knee) is on the six-game injured list, while Sam Emilus, who just returned from a foot injury, played in last week’s 30-16 loss to the B.C. Lions and was shaken up at the end of the game. Week 1 starter Jaylen Johnson was released after spending some time on the practice roster following his replacement by Johnny Johnson III.

Saskatchewan will return to the practice field on Wednesday.

They will take on the Toronto Argonauts on Saturday at Mosaic Stadium. Kickoff is set for 5 p.m. The Green Zone pregame show begins at 3 p.m.