Several depth players are getting back on the Rider roster after being out with injury. And one is debuting in surprise fashion.
Receiver Ricardo Louis will make his first CFL start as he takes the place of Paul McRoberts for the Labour Day Classic (4 pm on 620 CKRM). Louis found out the news Saturday morning.
“I’m feeling good. I’m feeling ready. Excited. It’s been a while, as you know,” says Louis.
The 27 year old hasn’t played a regular season game since 2017 when he was with the NFL’s Miami Dolphins. He knows Sunday will not be easy.
“It’s just a matter of getting out there, getting a routine, getting a feel for the game, the game speed. And once I’m able to adjust I’ll be able to play fast and make special plays.”
“We felt like Ricardo had a good camp,” says Head Coach Craig Dickenson. “And Ricardo and Paul (McRoberts) were really neck-and-neck throughout camp. Ricardo was dealing with a little bit of a hamstring before the bye, and so we went with Paul. But Ricardo had a good week of practice this week and we feel like he deserved a shot.”
Interestingly, Louis hasn’t had many practice reps with Quarterback Cody Fajardo. This week he had fewer with the first-team offense than the receiver he replaces. Since Louis has been working with the second team since training camp, he and Fajardo don’t know each other well.
“From what I’ve seen he’s a great route runner,” says the Riders QB. “He does a great job elevating and making a play when the ball is in his area.
“From what I’ve seen in practice, I like my chances throwing up 50:50 balls with Louis out on the roster.”
Coach Dickenson adds “We feel like (Louis has) put his time in and deserves an opportunity to go play and show us what he can do.”
Louis was a college teammate of Riders Cornerback Nick Marshall.
NOTES
Coach Dickenson says Defensive Tackle Micah Johnson will be a game-time decision. Johnson missed practice Wednesday and Friday with his ankle injury.
RB/Returner Marcus Murphy is sidelined with a toe injury. Jamal Morrow will back up at Running Back and handle some of the returns.
FB Chris Ezeala will make his CFL debut in the Labour Day Classic. He was the Riders first-round pick in this year’s Global Draft. Ezeala is 25 years old, and brings a load at 6 feet, 251 pounds. He was in Baltimore Ravens training camp in 2018 & 2019.
