Reinforcements have begun to arrive for the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
The Green and White welcome back six players — including three from the six-game injured list — as they prepare to face the B.C. Lions in Vancouver on Sunday night.
Heading up that list is former 1,000-yard receiver Sam Emilus, who was well on the way to hitting that mark this season before a foot injury took him out for the last three games.
Rookie receiver James Letcher Jr. and running back Quali Conley are also back in the line-up, with the former having missed the previous seven games with a forearm injury and the latter missing last week’s game with hamstring injury.
The offensive line picks up some depth as Zack Fry comes off the six-game after recovering from a knee injury and fellow Canadian Daniel Johnson is back after sitting out last week due to illness.
Things are also improving on the defensive line, as Canadian Ali Saad has recovered from a calf injury and is off the six-game injured.
Those returns come at a good time, with head coach Corey Mace expecting a tough battle against the Lions, winners of three straight to get back into contention in the West Division.
“They're playing together right now and then they're playing some complimentary football,” Mace said. “They're a good team and we're going into somebody else's house, I'm sure they're happy to be playing back in B.C. Place as well. So yeah, the cards are stacked for us, let's go see who we are.”
With all those returnees, it also means a host of players have come off the roster.
Receiver Vyshonne Janusas, offensive lineman Darius Bell and defensive lineman Liam Hoskins — all Canadian — move to the practice roster, as do running back Star Thomas and linebacker Seyi Oladipo Jr. Regina product D’Sean Mimbs moves to the reserve roster.
The Rider Broadcast Network will have the pregame show beginning at 2 p.m. on Monday, with Dave Thomas and Luc Mullinder bringing you the game call at kick-off at 5 p.m.
