With a key matchup against the top offence in the league on Friday, the Saskatchewan Roughriders maybe getting some key additions to their defensive line.
Head Coach Craig Dickenson said after practice on Wednesday that Pete Robertson, AC Leonard and Garrett Marino are all game time decisions for Friday’s game against B.C.
The last time all three players were active for the green and white was back on July 8. Robertson and Leonard both suffered injuries that sidelined the pass rushers and Marino was suspended following the game against Ottawa.
After Robertson suffered a setback last week in practice with his foot injury, Dickenson is more confident that the he will be able to suit up this week. The Riders Head Coach noted the team will be cautious bringing guys back into the lineup which means the defensive line could see more of a rotation against the Lions.
“We like to dress as many d-linemen as we could but we know we got to have some linebackers and some guys on offence for Coach (Jason) Maas. ”
Some extra bite to the Roughrider pass rush could be the remedy to slow down Nathan Rourke and the high flying Lions offence. Along with the Canadian QB leading the league in passing, the Lions have three receivers (Dominique Rhymes, Keon Hatcher, Lucky Whitehead) in the top ten list for receiving yards.
Once again on Wednesday, Dickenson had nothing but high praise for Rourke, noting the QB is capable for long term success in the CFL, if that is path Rourke chooses.
“He is really good, as good of a young quarterback I’ve seen in a longtime and if he keeps it up he’s going to have some records when it’s all said and done.”
On the offensive side of the ball for the Riders, a decision still needs to be made on who will be playing the tackle positions on the offensive line. Dickenson said the starting tackles this week will be a combination of Terran Vaughn, Jamal Campbell and Andrew Lauderdale. Vaughn has been absent from practice this week with a hamstring injury.
After spending the first half of the season as a backup, there has been an extra jump in Campbell’s step this week according to the Riders Head Coach.
“Anytime a guy gets a sense that he might play, there’s a little juice. ”
Dickenson felt that Campbell has done everything that has been expected of him through the season, adding the reason he wasn’t starting for Saskatchewan was because Dickenson felt having a pair of American tackles was in the best interest of the team to start the year.
The return of Kyran “Swerve” Moore will have to wait at least one more week. Dickenson confirmed today that Moore will not return this week as the wide receiver continues to recover from last season’s knee injury.
This week’s game at Mosaic Stadium is Purolator’s Tackle Hunger game. Fans can take a picture with the Grey Cup with a donation of a non perishable food item.
You can catch Friday night’s matchup on 620 CKRM, Countdown to Kickoff begins at 5:00, opening kickoff is 8:00.