The Saskatchewan Roughriders are starting to get healthy just in time for their Touchdown Atlantic clash with the Toronto Argonauts on Saturday.
Four impact starters are scheduled to return to the lineup for the Green and White in Halifax, led by prized free-agent receiver Jake Wieneke. The 28-year-old has missed the last three weeks with a knee injury after catching 12 passes for 111 yards in three appearances to start the year.
Wieneke was named the Most Outstanding Rookie in the East Division in 2019 as he recorded 41 receptions for 569 yards and eight touchdowns over 18 games with the Montreal Alouettes. He was named a CFL all-star the following year after making 56 catches for 898 yards for 11 touchdowns.
The six-foot-four, 215-pound receiver is coming off a down year in which he made 45 receptions for 589 yards and a career-low two touchdowns.
Also returning to the lineup is six-foot-five, 220-pound Canadian mismatch Brayden Lenius, who has yet to play this year due to a lower back issue.
The 26-year-old had a breakout second season in 2021, recording 37 receptions for 471 yards and four touchdowns to earn an opportunity with the Atlanta Falcon. Following his release from the NFL, Lenius rejoined the Riders for the final seven games of 2022 and collected 17 receptions for 172 yards and a major.
To make way for the two healthy pass catchers, American Kendall Watson has been placed back on the practice roster, while Canadian Mitch Picton (head) was moved to the one-game injured list.
Elsewhere on the roster, Peter Godber returns as the team’s starting centre after a three-game absence with a hand injury. Logan Bandy now becomes the team’s sixth offensive lineman and Zack Fry (low back) has been placed on the one-game injured list.
Defensively, the Riders will be buoyed by the insertion of star pass rusher Anthony Lanier back into the lineup after he missed the past two weeks with a foot injury. The versatile defensive lineman has three tackles and a sack in four games this season but is coming off a banner year in which he had eight sacks in 11 games.
Lanier will take over at defensive end for Bryan Cox Jr. (knee), who has been placed on the six-game injured list.
The Riders (3-3) will face off against the Argos (5-0) on Saturday, July 29 at 4:00 p.m. EDT at Saint Mary’s University in Halifax. They are currently point underdogs.
