Saskatchewan Roughriders give QB Jack Coan start in preseason opener versus Calgary

Photo: Saskatchewan Roughriders

The Saskatchewan Roughriders have named  Jack Coan the starter at quarterback for the team’s preseason opener against the Calgary Stampeders on Monday.

Coan, who is in a battle for the backup quarterback job, is listed above Tommy Stevens and Brayden Schager on the depth chart. Veteran incumbent Trevor Harris will not dress for the game.

The 27-year-old originally signed with the Riders in March 2024. He’s since completed 12-of-29 pass attempts for 138 yards with one touchdown across 23 regular-season CFL games. The six-foot-three, 218-pound passer inked a one-year contract extension with Saskatchewan in January.

The remainder of Saskatchewan’s travelling roster will be light on experience. Notable inactives include running back A.J. Ouellette; receivers Kian Schaffer-Baker, Sam Emilus, and KeeSean Johnson; offensive linemen Jermarcus Hardrick and Logan Ferland; defensive linemen James Vaughters, Mike Rose, and Caleb Sanders; linebacker Jameer Thurman; defensive backs Rolan Milligan Jr., Marcus Sayles, and Tevaughn Campbell; and long snapper Aaron Crawford.

The lack of established starters will allow plenty of opportunities for those vying for jobs. Canadian receivers Dhel Duncan-Busby, D’Sean Mimbs, and Daniel Wiebe will all take first-team reps as they compete to be the team’s third National starter at the position, while Siaosi Mariner and Abdul Janneh Jr. will get the first looks for the open American job.

Defensively, Chico Bennett Jr. and Jaylen Pate will start in the battle for the open defensive end job, while Josh Woods and Aubrey Miller Jr. will both get a chance to showcase themselves at linebacker. American Jonathan Kim and Global Alex Hale will battle for the kicking job.

The Riders will visit the Stampeders at McMahon Stadium on Monday, May 18, at 3:00 p.m. EDT. The weather is expected to be mainly sunny with a high of 14 degrees and a risk of thunderstorms in the early evening. The game will not be broadcast on TSN, but can be streamed for free on CFL+.