REGINA -- The news might not be as bad as many anticipated for the Saskatchewan Roughriders when the first injury report was released earlier this week, but the Green and White will still have a banged-up defensive secondary when the team takes the field on Saturday night against the Montreal Alouettes.
Defensive backs Tevaughn Campbell and Marcus Sayles are both game-time decisions after sustaining injuries in the Labour Day Classic rematch. Campbell suffered a concussion on a tackle late in the game and Campbell was injured on a knee-to-knee collision in the third quarter. Both missed practice to start the week but were able to take the field later on.
Kerfalla Exume could get the start at boundary cornerback if Sayles can’t go, while Campbell's potential replacement would likely be Benny Sapp III or Antoine Brooks Jr., with Sapp III seeing the majority of reps in the Riders' walk-thru on Friday. Brooks Jr. was one of the line-up changes on Friday, moving from the one-game injured list to the practice roster.
Canadian Kosi Onyeka makes his second start of the season at safety as Jaxon Ford remains on the one-game injured list with a knee injury.
Linebacker C.J. Reavis also missed practice earlier in the week but has recovered from a leg injury and is good to go.
The Roughriders do have some good news on the injury front, as national offensive lineman Daniel Johnson makes his return to the line-up. Johnson suffered a shoulder injury in a Week 6 loss to the Calgary Stampeders and missed the last seven games after beginning the season as the starting left tackle. He’ll serve as the offensive line’s sixth man against the Als. With Johnson returning, fellow Canadian Braydon Noll returns to the practice roster.
Fullback Albert Awachie missed time with a hand injury to start the week but should the field against the Alouettes. Otherwise, there are no changes to the Roughriders’ offence.
Be sure to catch the 620 CKRM Rider Broadcast Network pre-game show with Teagan Witko, Justin Dunk and Wes Cates at 2 p.m. for updates on Sayles’ and Campbell’s status, and you can catch the game call with Dave Thomas and Luc Mullinder at 5 p.m.
