Major reinforcements are arriving for the Saskatchewan Roughriders just when they need them the most.
Receivers Sam Emilus and KeeSean Johnson were both listed as available in the final Week 20 injury report on Thursday afternoon, meaning the duo will be expected to be in the lineup when the Riders take on the Montreal Alouettes at Mosaic Stadium on Saturday.
Emilus last played on Aug. 23 against the B.C. Lions but sustained a lower leg injury that has kept him out off the field since. Despite playing in only seven games this season, Emilus comes into the contest with 514 yards receiving and offers another valuable weapon to Trevor Harris’ offence.
Emilus nearly returned for the Thanksgiving match-up against Montreal, but instead took another week to fully heal.
Thousand-yard receiver Johnson suffered an ankle injury late in Saskatchewan’s Week 18 loss to Calgary and was unavailable last week against the Alouettes. He saw limited action in practice earlier this week but took first team reps alongside Emilus and Kian Schaffer-Baker as preparation progressed, leading to his expected return on Saturday.
It’s as positive a turn of events as there could be for the Riders, as the trio offer a host of dangerous options for the Green and White’s offence.
Saskatchewan will also get offensive lineman Payton Collins back in action after he was a game-time decision last week with an ankle injury and couldn’t play. Fellow o-lineman Logan Ferland is listed as questionable with a knee injury.
Fullback Albert Awachie’s bad luck continues as he’s out due to a quad ailment suffered in practice last week, and linebacker Seyi Oladipo is out with an ankle injury.
The Roughrider Broadcast Network will have all the action from Saskatchewan’s meeting with the Montreal Alouettes at Mosaic Stadium beginning at 10 a.m. on Saturday. Teagan Witko and Wes Cates will have plenty of special guests, and Dave Thomas and Luc Mullinder will have the game call at kickoff at 1 p.m.
