Canadian rookie sensation Ajou Ajou expects to start while fellow national Kian Schaffer-Baker recovers from an upper-body injury.
Schaffer-Baker left Friday night’s win over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the second quarter and did not return, eventually emerging on the sideline wearing street clothes and a sling on his right arm. The 26-year-old Mississauga, Ont. native has recorded 25 receptions for 352 yards and two touchdowns during parts of six games this season.
“There was discussion about potentially getting some things done to see if he could go in the second half, that leads me to believe that it’s nothing extremely long-term or anything like that,” head coach Corey Mace told 620 CKRM post-game.
“We’re still doing a deeper dive into exactly the time on how that recovery’s going to look. He’s going to attack the heck out of it, whatever that prognosis is and when he’s ready to go, he’ll be out there doing what he does.”
The six-foot-four, 205-pound receiver was selected in the fourth round, 30th overall during the 2020 CFL Draft out of the University of Guelph. He has caught 178 passes for 2,305 yards and 12 touchdowns over 45 career CFL games, all with the Riders.
Ajou took Schafer-Baker’s place in the offence against the Blue Bombers and made four grabs for 110 yards, including 70 yards after the catch. The six-foot-two, 211-pound pass catcher was selected in the seventh round, 59th overall during the 2024 CFL Draft.
“Anytime you don’t have No. 89 out there, it takes a bite out of the offence, but guys have to step up. The standard is the standard,” Mace said.
“I gotta perform til big bro get back, that’s all,” said Ajou. “Speedy recovery, he know I’m praying for him. We’ll be alright til he get back.”
Mace and Ajou have known each other since 2019 when the Brooks, Alta. native went to Clearwater International Academy in Florida for his final high school season. Ajou was roommates with Jevaun Jacobsen, Mace’s little brother.
“We go way back,” according to the charismatic receiver.
“He’s earned everything he’s gotten. He solidified again that he is a playmaker, it makes it tough for us not to see him on the field — he keeps ascending,” Mace said.
Ajou has dressed for six games and made the most from his opportunities on offence while also being a physical blocker. He has 10 receptions for 191 yards — 19.1 per catch — and one touchdown.
“The proof is in the film. You watch the film and you can see that he’s ready,” quarterback Shea Patterson said. “Ajou shows up every single day and works his tail off. He’s an incredible athlete.”
The Roughriders (5-1) visit the Montreal Alouettes (5-1) on Thursday, July 25 with kickoff slated for 7:30 p.m. EDT.
