The axe continued to fall at Saskatchewan Roughriders training camp on Wednesday, but Day 4 in Saskatoon also featured a glimpse into the future, some sharp offensive execution and a booming kick that turned heads across Griffiths Stadium.
Before practice began, the Roughriders trimmed their roster significantly, headlined by the release of former NFL running back Darrell Henderson Jr. The club also moved on from quarterback Jordan McCloud, receiver Juwann Winfree, linebacker Demouy Kennedy and defensive lineman Thor Griffith, among others. Veteran defensive back Jerry Jacobs retired while Canadian running back Thomas Bertrand-Hudon was activated from the veteran injured list.
Despite the difficult decisions, head coach Corey Mace said the competitive nature of camp forced the organization’s hand early.
“We did a good job as our scouting department brought in a lot of really good players,” Mace explained. “It’s just tough the way our league is set up currently and having to make those cuts so early. But it has to be done, and we feel really good about the guys that are here moving forward.”
Wednesday’s practice itself was shorter than previous sessions, something Mace said was intentional after several demanding days to open camp.
“These guys have been working their tails off,” Mace said. “I want to be smart to make sure these guys can get out there and put their best tape on the field so we can get a good evaluation.”
One of the biggest storylines of the day was the arrival of first-round draft pick Malcolm Bell. The ninth overall selection in the 2026 CFL Draft was on the field wearing No. 12 less than 24 hours after signing with Saskatchewan following rookie minicamp with the Cleveland Browns.
The Montreal product immediately caught Mace’s attention.
“He looked good, man,” Mace said. “I tried not to make it so obvious instead of just standing right there at his drills, which I ended up doing anyway. He is who we thought he was. Now it’s just a matter of getting caught up as far as the playbook is concerned so we can get him out there.”
Bell said the transition back to Canadian football has been a whirlwind, but one he embraced quickly once the call came from Saskatchewan.
“I’m grateful because at the end of the day I still had an opportunity to play football after this,” Bell said. “As soon as I made the call to Kyle Carson, I was ready to come. When we saw the process for me being here, in less than 24 hours, I was here.”
The former Michigan State Spartans football defensive back made it clear he has no plans to ease his way into camp competition.
“I’m coming to take somebody’s starting job,” Bell said. “I’m not here for bodies. I’m here to be an impact player. Eventually, I’m going to be a starter.”
Bell also praised the veteran leadership already present in Saskatchewan’s secondary.
“Everybody’s trying to teach me,” Bell said. “Every time I have a question, somebody’s going to answer me. I think that’s what makes them so good.”
While Bell’s arrival generated plenty of attention, the offence arguably stole the show during team periods.
Quarterback Trevor Harris threaded a pass to receiver Kian Schaffer-Baker in tight coverage before later dropping a perfectly placed deep ball over the shoulder of KeeSean Johnson for a 35-yard gain. Backup quarterback Jack Coan also connected with D'Sean Mimbs on a strong completion before finding Schaffer-Baker again over the middle.
Mace agreed that the offence looked far more in sync than in the opening days of camp.
“That’s what you love,” Mace said. “It’s not just the ones doing it. You’re getting it from the twos and threes. Usually, that’s how camp goes. There’s a lot of detail on the offensive side, and it just takes time to develop the timing of everything. They’re definitely hitting their stride now.”
The loudest moment of practice, however, belonged to kicker Jonathan Kim.
With the wind at his back, Kim was perfect on his field-goal attempts, including a monster 58-yard kick that cleared the uprights with room to spare and travelled close to 78 yards in the air as it flew out of the back of the end zone.
Elsewhere, the hardest collision of the day came when Dhel Duncan-Busby delivered a crushing block on Seyi Oladipo Jr. during the teams period.
Defensive linemen Marcus Haynes and Caleb Sanders did not participate in practice.
The Riders are back on the field at Griffiths Stadium on Thursday.
