On Sunday, when the Saskatchewan Roughriders host the Ottawa REDBLACKS, they will have to make changes to their lineup.
Wide receiver Brayden Lenius will not be in the lineup against Ottawa. With Mitch Picton unable to return to the field, the Roughriders now have to adjust their Canadian ratio.
Lenius made his season debut for the green and white last week in Nova Scotia against the Argonauts. The Regina product was injured during the preseason with a lacerated kidney injury forcing him on the six-game injured list to begin the 2023 campaign. Last week against Toronto, Lenius suffered a foot injury, and unfortunately for Saskatchewan, it appears to be a long-term injury, according to Riders Head Coach Craig Dickenson.
“Brayden is more serious than we thought, unfortunately.”
Dickenson confirmed that Lenius will be placed on the six-game injured list.
Since Picton will miss a second straight game, the green and white will have to make up the remaining starting Canadian on the defensive side of the ball.
Replacing Lenius will likely either be Kendall Watson or Jerreth Sterns. Watson has 17 receptions for 154 receiving yards in four games in 2023. Sterns has been on the team’s practice roster since joining the Roughriders.
Another possible Canadian option for Saskatchewan on Sunday is fullback Albert Awachie.
Dickenson said the fullback can be a versatile weapon when called upon.
“He can play receiver if you need him to and fullback so Albert has a real valuable role for this team and one of them is the ability to run certain plays that are different packages.”
Awachie knows the game flow will go a long way to dictating his offensive snaps.
“It’s really how the game goes, some games it just might be run-heavy, I’ve experienced games like that before, whether it’s this year or previous years, so I’m not new to it. ”
Another change for the Roughriders on Sunday will be at left tackle. Brandon Council is out and will be replaced by Eric Lofton.
Fans of the Roughriders will need to be patient for at least another week before Kian Schaffer-Baker makes his debut. The top receiver for Saskatchewan in 2022 will not be playing in Sunday’s game as he is still recovering from hip surgery that was performed during the off-season.
Wide receivers Derel Walker (knee) and Juwan Brescacin (shoulder) will also miss this week’s game as they continue from their respective injuries.
620 CKRM will have full coverage of Sunday’s contest featuring the Roughriders and REDBLACKS. It begins with Countdown to Kickoff at 2:00, Rider Nation Pre-Game Show at 4:00, and the opening kickoff at 5:00.
