Cut-down day was once again hard for Riders GM Jeremy O’Day. After all, they don’t call the guys who make the team to give them the good news.
Forty-nine players remain on the Riders roster with 15 more split between the two practice rosters. One of the QBs on the roster is former NFL 1st-round pick Paxton Lynch. O’Day says the team wanted to keep as many quarterbacks as possible. And he was impressed with Lynch’s high level of ability, and skill in picking up the offense after arriving late to camp.
For this season each team will carry two quarterbacks on its game-day roster. Jeremy O’Day says he is committed to that and says “we wouldn’t fudge it” and try put a third QB on the roster in another position.
O’Day says receiver Paul McRoberts had another strong camp–especially after Jordan Williams-Lambert’s injuries moved McRoberts in with the first-team offense. O’Day says McRoberts and other practice-roster players will be “chomping at the bit” to play this season.
Notes
The Riders can have up to 18 players on their practice roster. Currently they have 15, meaning when players come off suspension (like defensive back Elie Bouka who recently arrived in Regina), the Riders will not be forced to release anyone.
O’Day says no player turned down a practice roster spot.
The game-day roster rules for this season have changed. The Riders have the option of carrying 45 players on the game-day roster and dressing 44 for the game. Or teams can carry 44 players and dress 43. In 2019 teams could bring 46 and dress 45.
