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There will be a number of former teammates facing off in this week’s CFL showdown between the Ottawa Redblacks and Saskatchewan Roughriders.
With the Riders winning the Grey Cup last season, a number of teams came calling for Saskatchewan’s pending free agents.
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None more so than the Redblacks, who signed a good number of former Riders such as linebackers A.J. Allen and C.J. Reavis, defensive end Habakkuk Baldonado, quarterback Jake Maier and kicker Brett Lauther.
Defensive back Marcus Sayles believes those additions to the defence will bring some energy to the Redblacks’ attack.
“Reav and A.J. are over there, so you know they are going to be going at it with our offence,” Sayles said. “Even with their offence, they have explosive players and we just have to keep dialled into what we have to do and just don’t give up any explosive plays.
“Reavis and A.J., they were balling all season (in 2025). Reavis was a two-time all-star back-to-back and with A.J., the way he was able to get back to the ball on all those pass plays and all the picks they were able to get. I’m happy for them, and they were able to get their money.
“At the same time, they have to see us again and it’s going to be an exciting game,” Sayles said.
Quarterbacks Trevor Harris and Maier got a chance to know each other as teammates last season. The two will duel it out in Friday’s showdown at TD Place Stadium.
The Riders come into the game with one of the top offences in the CFL, with Harris having logged 1,175 passing yards to go along with eight touchdowns and just one interception. The offence has helped push the Riders to a 2-1 record, with their first loss coming last week against the Toronto Argonauts.
Meanwhile, Maier has thrown for 820 yards, five touchdowns and three interceptions as the Redblacks search for their first win of the 2026 campaign.
“A lot of times when you watch film, (Maier) is getting the ball to the right spot at the right time and is very accurate. He’s a guy who has been slept on his whole career because things didn’t go quite as well as you wanted to in Calgary. I thought he learned and grew a lot here last year,” Harris said.
“He has a bright future ahead but hopefully this Friday, it’s pretty glum. That’s what we are hoping.”
The Riders did get some good news when it comes to injuries on Tuesday. Sam Emilus (ankle) and Kian Schaffer-Baker (oblique) both were able to log limited practices after being non-participants on Monday
Dhel Duncan-Busby (shoulder) also logged a full practice after missing last week’s game and not practicing on Monday. Jaylen Johnson (shoulder) also resumed full duties at practice.
There was some bad news coming out of practice on Tuesday, however, as Canadian defensive tackle Ali Saad (calf) left early and did not return.
