The Saskatchewan Roughriders will be without one of their biggest stars on both sides of the ball when they face the Ottawa Redblacks on Friday.
Starting running back Jamal Morrow (knee) and stalwart defensive lineman Anthony Lanier II (hip) have both been placed on the one-game injured list.
Morrow has carried 157 times for 680 yards and two touchdowns this season while adding 28 receptions for 284 yards and another score. He will be replaced by Frankie Hickson, who has had a disappointing second campaign as a Rider after rushing for 533 yards as a rookie. The 26-year-old has carried just 16 times for 58 yards this year.
Lanier has been one of the league’s most consistent pressure generators, notching 16 defensive tackles and five sacks in 11 games. With defensive tackle Miles Brown (groin) also headed to the six-game injured list, the pair will be replaced by Cody Roscoe and Christian Albright.
The most recognizable returning face for the Riders is quarterback Mason Fine, who has missed the last five weeks with a hamstring pull. The 26-year-old was the team’s starter at the time of his injury, completing 98-of-143 passes for 1,044 yards, three touchdowns, and four interceptions in four starts, but has since been supplanted by Jake Dolegala.
Fine will re-enter the lineup as the team’s primary backup, while Antonio Pipkin will continue to handle short-yardage. Shea Patterson has been demoted to the practice roster.
Among the other changes to the roster, linebacker Justin Herdman-Reed (quadriceps) and defensive back Nelson Lokombo (knee) have been added to the six-game injured list. Linebackers Brian Harelimana, Matt Dean, and Rodney Clemons Jr. will all draw in.
The Riders (6-7) will host the Redblacks (3-10) on Friday, September 22 at 7:00 p.m. EDT. The two clubs previously met in Week 9, with Saskatchewan holding on to a 26-24 victory.
