REGINA – Saskatchewan Roughriders running back A.J. Ouellette did all he could to try and gut his way through an ankle injury and into Friday night’s game against the Toronto Alouettes, but in the end the damage proved to be too much to overcome.
The Roughriders’ depth chart was released on Thursday and revealed that Ouellette has moved to the reserve roster — essentially a game-day scratch — and will not be available for the contest against Argos.
As a result, rookie running back Quali Conley will get the start in his place when the two teams meet at Mosaic Stadium, one of four players who will make their Canadian Football League debuts.
That includes former University of Saskatchewan wide receiver Daniel Wiebe, who will jump in as a back-up slotback as Dhel Duncan-Busby moves to the one-game injured list.
Joining Conley and Wiebe in playing their first CFL game are linebacker Seyi Oladipo Jr. and defensive lineman Jaylen Pate, who take over roster spots vacated by Juju Hughes and Devin Adams respectively.
Hughes was the latest DB to be sidelined in Week 3 and has been moved to the six-game list with an ankle injury, while Adams moves to the practice roster.
Second-year veteran and Regina product D’Sean Mimbs gets the start at slotback in Duncan-Busby’s place and veteran defensive back Jonathan Edouard moves in to take over Hughes spot. Odalipo Jr. enters the line-up as the back-up to Antoine Brooks Jr. at strong side linebacker, Pate will back up defensive end Desmond Evans.
Wide receiver KeeSean Johnson will be in action after dealing with a dicey knee during practice this week, as will defensive lineman James Vaughters after suffering a mild ankle sprain against Calgary.
The contest between the Roughriders and Argonauts kicks off at 7 p.m. from Mosaic Stadium, with the Rider Broadcast Network pre-game show beginning at 4 p.m. Dave Thomas and Luc Mullinder will have the game call at kickoff.
