For the second day in a row, Saskatchewan Roughriders' quarterback Trevor Harris did not participate in practice and head coach Corey Mace wants to take time prior to making a final decison as to who will start at QB on Saturday against the B.C. Lions.
"I think [Friday] will be the final decision-maker for that. We got the luxury of [Friday]," Mace said. "Trying to play it smart, but [Friday] we'll make the final decision on that."
The reason why Harris did not participate in Tuesday's practice was Mace wanted to play it safe after it was determined Harris had an illness and head injury. Toronto Argonauts' defensive lineman Jordan Williams delivered a hard hit on Harris after Dhel Duncan-Busby put a low block on Kenneth George Jr. which caused him to be carted off with a knee injury.
"It was a big hit. We did keep eyes to that, you know what I mean and protecting the players," Mace said. "It's what we're about here in that situation. But also he is dealing with some kind of infection. From this standpoint, we're being careful from the hit to the head."
During Week 3, the Riders won 39-32 over the Argos at BMO Field. Harris completed 13-of-17 passes for 234 passing yards with two touchdowns and one interception.
Harris has suffered multiple injuries during his time with the Roughriders. After he initially came to the Green and White in 2023, the 39-year-old played five games following a tibial plateau fracture in his right knee that cut his season short. In 2024, Harris suffered an MCL sprain in Week 2 against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, which put him on the six-game injured list.
During the offseason, Saskatchewan traded and signed Jake Maier to a one-year contract for the 2025 season and inked Tommy Stevens in free agency. Second-year QB Jack Coan has continued to develop and learn the CFL game.
"Now getting a full day, being the one back there, I think only more reps will help him," Mace said about Maier taking first-team reps in practice. "He's Jake Maier. That's why you bring him in there and we've got nothing but confidence in the kid."
After the game against the Lions, the Riders will be on a bye next week. Mace and his staff know the team has multiple factors to consider.
"Ultimately in pro ball, you want to get the guys you have designated to take those reps out there -- every game matters," Mace said. "You do look at timelines like that with bye weeks around the corner, but for us, if we can put out the people that we pencil in, we're going to do that."
The Green and White host the Lions on Saturday. You can catch the pre-game show with Teagan Witko, Justin Dunk and Wes Cates at 2 p.m. Dave Thomas and Luc Mullinder have the game call at 5 p.m. You can hear everything on the 620 CKRM Co-operators Rider Broadcast Network.
