Roughriders lean on depth as injuries mount ahead of matchup with Redblacks

The Saskatchewan Roughriders relied on their depth to earn their latest win and may need more players to step up over the next stretch.

Saskatchewan ruled out wide receiver Sam Emilus (foot) just before it’s 28-26 win over the Edmonton Elks on Saturday.

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During the game, key contributors like slotback Kian Schaffer-Baker (knee) and defensive back Tevaughn Campbell (forearm) left with injuries and did not return. Campbell still had his arm in a sling on Tuesday.

“We know who we are and everyone in this locker room is here for a reason. We have total faith in them. Losing guys stinks — injuries and people getting released is the worst part of football,” quarterback Trevor Harris said.

“It’s us banding together as brothers and believing in one another and having guys step up. When you’re down Sam and (Schaffer-Baker), it’s no secret those are two of those guys. You have guys come in — Johnny (Johnson III) making plays, Dhel (Duncan-Busby) making plays and (D’Sean) Mimbs,” Harris said.

“Guys we believe in and we will try to cater the game plan to their strengths and things they do well and mesh that with what we are doing. We will come out and do the best we can.”

Head coach Corey Mace declined to discuss the injuries in detail after Tuesday’s practice, indicating he was going to wait for the injury report to come out.

Along with Emilus, Schaffer-Baker and Campbell, offensive lineman Zack Fry (knee) and fullback Albert Awachie (ankle) did not practice. There was some good news on the injury report as defensive tackle Ali Saad (calf) was a limited participant in practice.

Last week, defensive back Rolan Milligan suffered a knee injury in practice. He was placed on the six-game injured list and Mace was asked on Tuesday if he was ruled out for the remainder of the season.

“Rolan is going to be tough. I’ll say that. I don’t want to eliminate anything, though,” Mace said.

Defensive back Nelson Lokombo was back on the field for the team in Campbell’s defensive back spot.

“It feels good to be back with the squad. It has been a minute so I’m excited to get back and get going,” Lokombo said.

“(Next man up) has always been the motto. Everybody, at the end of the day, is a professional so whenever you have injuries like that, it’s the next-man mentality. Whoever is coming in to step up has to be ready.”

If Lokombo returns to the lineup and takes Campbell’s place, the former University of Saskatchewan Huskie would have started at least one game at safety, halfback and cornerback for the Riders this season.

“That’s one of the things I take personally. I think I can play any position and it’s a credit to the coaching staff that they trust me to go out there and play those positions. I have a sense of pride for that and I love doing that,” Lokombo said.

The Riders will take on the Ottawa Redblacks on Friday at Mosaic Stadium. Kickoff for the game is set for 7 p.m. The Green Zone pregame show begins at 5 p.m.