The Saskatchewan Roughriders see some valuable returns, an extremely difficult loss and a bit of lineup tinkering in their depth chart leading up to the Week 19 contest against the Montreal Alouettes.
The biggest return comes at defensive back, where Tevaughn Campbell is back on the strong side after missing the last eight games with a broken forearm.
“It’s been a long time coming,” Campbell said in practice earlier this week. “I haven’t played in so long. To get back on the field with the guys – especially in practice – to relearn the guys and relearn how they play certain plays, it's just good to get out here.”
The remainder of the defensive secondary sees James Burgess Jr. as the weak side corner, Marcus Sayles at weak halfback and Demarcus Fields at strong halfback. Nelson Lokombo gets his usual start at safety.
As expected, Brett Lauther will take over placekicking duties after rejoining the team in a trade with the Ottawa Redblacks two weeks ago. To make room for him on the roster, the team released Dawson Hodge earlier this week.
The Riders also get reinforcement in their punt and kick return game as speedster Mathew Sexton is back in the line-up after recovering from an ankle injury suffered way back in Week 6.
The news isn’t all good on the roster front, though, as standout receiver KeeSean Johnson is recovering from an ankle injury and is on the one-game injured list.
As a result, Shemar Bridges will get the start in Johnson’s position at weak-side wide receiver. Kian Schaffer-Baker is at weak-side slotback, Johnny Johnson III and Dhel Duncan-Busby at strong-side slot and Daniel Wiebe at strong wide receiver.
Trevor Harris starts at quarterback and A.J. Ouellette at running back. Thomas Bertrand-Houdon will back up Ouellette as Quali Conley moves to the practice roster.
The Riders will play without a full-time fullback as Albert Awachie is on the one-game injured with a quadriceps issue.
On the offensive line, left tackle Payton Collins is a game-time decision as he deals with an ankle injury and Erik Andresen slots in as the sixth man in place of Darius Bell, who also moves to the practice roster.
The remainder of the starting o-line — left guard Daniel Johnson, centre Logan Ferland, right guard Jacob Brammer and right tackle Jermarcus Hardrick — remains intact.
The defensive front sees a single change with Derick Roberson slotting in as a back-up at defensive end. James Vaughters and Habakkuk Baldonado get the starts at that position, Mike Rose and Caleb Sanders remain at defensive tackle. Jaylan Pate returns to the practice roster.
The linebacker corps sees an interesting change as Jaxon Ford moves from his usual safety position up to strong side linebacker.
“I'm excited for it, I think it fits my skill set quite well,” he said. “I'm more of a coverage DB, but I can fit in that box anytime you need me to.”
Aubrey Miller Jr. gets the start at strong-side linebacker and Jameer Thurman at middle linebacker.
Monday’s contest features a very early start, with the Rider Broadcast Network pregame show with Teagan Witko, Wes Cates and plenty of special guests beginning at 8 a.m. Dave Thomas and Luc Mullinder will then have the game call at kickoff at 11 a.m.
