The Saskatchewan Roughriders will once again be without the services of Canadian receiver Brayden Lenius, placing him back on the six-game injured list ahead of their matchup with the Ottawa Redblacks on Sunday.
Lenius made his return to the roster last week after suffering a lacerated kidney in the preseason. He made two catches for 12 yards in a Touchdown Atlantic loss to the Toronto Argonauts but suffered a serious foot injury that is expected to keep him out indefinitely. Head coach Craig Dickenson said earlier this week that a return prior to the end of the season was possible, but not guaranteed.
The six-foot-five, 230-pound target was selected in the second round of the 2019 CFL Draft by the Riders and had a breakout season in 2021, catching 37 passes for 471 yards and four touchdowns. He signed with the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons in 2022 but was cut prior to the season, re-joining the Riders for seven games in which he caught 17 passes for 172 yards and a major.
Without Lenius available, Saskatchewan has altered its ratio and will start American rookie Jerreth Sterns for the first time.
The five-foot-nine, 175-pound target had a standout season at Western Kentucky University in 2021 when he caught 150 passes for 1,902 yards and 17 touchdowns over 14 games. He led the entire NCAA in all three categories, while his receptions total was the third-highest in FBS history. He was named first-team All-C-USA and a second-team All-American.
Canadian defensive tackle Charbel Dabire will get the start on defence to accommodate the change, though he can be replaced by designated nationalized American Micah Johnson.
Starting left tackle Brandon Council (knee) has been placed on the one-game injured list and will be replaced by journeyman Eric Lofton for the fourth time this season. A pair of 2023 CFL Draft picks, safety Jaxon Ford and linebacker Matt Dean, will return to the defence in depth roles, while backup running back Frankie Hickson and Global lineback Lukas Ruoss have been moved to the practice roster.
The Riders (3-4) will host the Redblacks (3-4) on Sunday, August 6 at 7:00 p.m. EDT. They are currently point underdogs.
