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Saskatchewan Roughriders debut new starters against B.C. after offseason departures
by 3Down Staff June 12, 2026
The Saskatchewan Roughriders retained much of their core after winning the 112th Grey Cup, but will still have plenty of new faces in the lineup when they open their 2026 campaign against the B.C. Lions on Saturday.
Many of the changes are situated on the defensive line, which lost the likes of Malik Carney and Habakkuk Baldonado in free agency. Veteran addition James Vaughters will attempt to fill the void on one edge, while rookie Desmond Evans has been given the nod on the other. The 23-year-old drew comparisons to Willie Jefferson in training camp and was once rated as the top defensive end in the 2020 recruiting class by ESPN, though he never quite lived up to those expectations at North Carolina. Mike Rose is the lone returning starter along the interior, but fourth-year man Caleb Sanders is expected to take on a larger role after his predecessor, Micah Johnson, retired to join the coaching staff.
Former Lion Josh Woods will face his old team for the first time since he was released this offseason, taking over at weak-side linebacker for the departed A.J. Allen. The rest of the linebacking corps and secondary remain largely unchanged, though Antoine Brooks Jr. will now permanently replace C.J. Reavis at strongside linebacker.
Offensively, the Riders return their entire offensive line from last season, franchise quarterback Trevor Harris, and bruising running back A.J. Ouellette. Also back are impact receivers KeeSean Johnson, Samuel Emilus, and Kian Schaffer-Baker. Third-year Canadian Dhel Duncan-Busby steps into the starting lineup following the departure of Tommy Nield and the sudden release of Ajou Ajou, while rookie American Jaylen Johnson will slot into the spot once occupied by Dohnte Meyers. The 26-year-old had just 806 yards and six touchdowns in two years at East Carolina, but spent parts of two seasons in the NFL with the Los Angeles Chargers.
The Riders will also debut an entirely new group of specialists. Australians Alex Hale and Oscar Chapman will handle the kicking and punting duties, respectively, while veteran Aaron Crawford arrives as the long snapper. James Letcher Jr. will assume primary return duties after signing with the team in free agency.
Brayden Schager, who lost the backup quarterback battle to Jack Coan in training camp, will begin the year on the reserve roster as a healthy scratch, where he'll be joined by defensive lineman Kendy Charles. Three Canadians will start the season on the one-game injured list: linebacker Nick Wiebe (head), offensive lineman Daniel Johnson (shoulder), and defensive lineman Benoit Marion (shoulder).
The initial six-game injured list will also include four Canadians: receiver Dylan Djete (thigh), offensive lineman Darius Bell (ankle), defensive lineman Lake Korte-Moore (knee), and linebacker Ryder Varga (knee).
The Saskatchewan Roughriders (0-0) will host the B.C. Lions (0-0) at Mosaic Stadium on Saturday, June 13, with kickoff scheduled for 7:00 p.m. EDT. Both teams were on a bye in Week 1. They last faced each other in the 2025 Western Final, where Saskatchewan prevailed 24-21. The Riders went on to win the 112th Grey Cup.
The weather forecast in Regina calls for a high of 18 degrees with a mix of sun and clouds. The game will be broadcast on TSN in Canada, CBS Sports Network in the United States, and CFL+ internationally. Radio listeners can tune in on 620 CKRM in Regina, 730 CKNW in Vancouver, and Sher-E-Punjab Radio AM 600 for Punjabi coverage in B.C.
https://3downnation.com/2026/06/12/saskatchewan-roughriders-debut-new-starters-against-b-c-after-offseason-departures/
B.C. Lions premiering two new cornerbacks in opener against Riders
by 3Down Staff June 12, 2026
The B.C. Lions will open their season on Saturday in Regina with two newcomers at cornerback.
C.J. Coldon, who joined the team as a free agent after being released by the Ottawa Redblacks in April, is an experienced addition and has long been pencilled in on the field side. However, the absence of veteran Garry Peters, who was officially ruled out on Thursday and placed on the six-game injured list, has forced the team to start rookie Tyson Russell at boundary corner in his first CFL game. The 23-year-old played collegiately at Vanderbilt, where he made 92 tackles, five pass breakups, and one interception in 44 games.
Also debuting for the Lions on defence are a pair of former All-CFL performers, Darnell Sankey and Casey Sayles. Sankey is expected to command the middle linebacker spot after coming over from the Montreal Alouettes, while Sayles will add to a deep defensive line after his unceremonious release by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. Rookie linebacker Parker McKenna is also expected to contribute to the new-look unit, though he remains listed behind Canadian Ben Hladik on the depth chart.
On the other side of the ball, the Lions remain mostly intact from last season, save for left tackle, where Kory Woodruff will take over for the departed Jarell Broxton. Brandon Yates will step in at Woodruff's old left guard spot, continuing the trend of four American starters along the offensive line.
Primary kick returner Seven McGee is also expected to take on a larger role this season, replacing Ayden Eberhardt in the starting lineup. Canadian Kieran Poissant will rotate in as needed to allow the American speedster to stay dangerous on special teams. The Lions will have a new long snapper as well, with Cam Foran replacing Kyle Nelson.
The team has placed a pair of Canadians on the reserve roster to begin the year, scratching rookie receiver Nick Cenacle and linebacker Terrence Ganyi. Notably, the team has no players on the one-game injured list for their opener, but begins with 10 players already on the six-game list: receiver Nate Demontagnac (shoulder); offensive linemen Andrew Peirson (shoulder), Josh Coker (knee), Josh Donovan (ankle), and Isiah Cage (knee); defensive lineman Tomasi Laulile (undisclosed); defensive backs Garry Peters (knee), Cristophe Beaulieu (knee), and Jett Elad (hip); and kick Mark McNamee (hip).
The B.C. Lions (0-0) will visit the Saskatchewan Roughriders (0-0) at Mosaic Stadium on Saturday, June 13, with kickoff scheduled for 7:00 p.m. EDT. Both teams were on a bye in Week 1. They last faced each other in the 2025 Western Final, where Saskatchewan prevailed 24-21. The Riders went on to win the 112th Grey Cup.
The weather forecast in Regina calls for a high of 18 degrees with a mix of sun and clouds. The game will be broadcast on TSN in Canada, CBS Sports Network in the United States, and CFL+ internationally. Radio listeners can tune in on 620 CKRM in Regina, 730 CKNW in Vancouver, and Sher-E-Punjab Radio AM 600 for Punjabi coverage in B.C.
https://3downnation.com/2026/06/12/b-c-lions-premiering-two-new-cornerbacks-in-opener-against-riders/
Harris and the rider offense looking pretty polished.
Quote from: bunker on June 13, 2026, 11:17:33 PMHarris and the rider offense looking pretty polished.
I would hope so, they kept their offence largely intact.
It's their defence that took some hits.
Quote from: Jesse on June 13, 2026, 11:25:32 PMI would hope so, they kept their offence largely intact.
It's their defence that took some hits.
Their offense ranked 6th in points scored last year, so not exactly dominant. They now have Emilus and a S-Baker back, who missed missed most of last season with injuries, and lost Meyers to NFL and Nield, so some changes there. Small sample size obviously, but they look really good on O.
We're up in arms about our defence, but there have been some high scoring games in the early going. Seems like most defences are slow to get going.
Quote from: Jesse on June 13, 2026, 11:58:58 PMWe're up in arms about our defence, but there have been some high scoring games in the early going. Seems like most defences are slow to get going.
Yeah, Harris doing to the Lions what BLM did to us. He's also getting tons of time in the pocket.
Second and 2, not sure what they're doing with the pass when you've got Stevens for short yardage.
Quote from: bunker on June 14, 2026, 12:03:57 AMYeah, Harris doing to the Lions what BLM did to us. He's also getting tons of time in the pocket.
And Toronto and Montreal did it to each other yesterday.
Oh no, Hardrick down...
Rourke three or four near int.
Strange challenge by Buck
glen suitor can disappear like rod black or Dunigan anytime now
maybe all defences are trash - not just the bombers
Benevides defence late choke.
terrible
Another entertaining game.
Both teams have great offences and look like they both left off where they were last year. The West will be a tough nut to crack this year.
Attendance looked low at mosaic but most games thus far have had a lot of empty seats—is there a mini protest going on by the fans?? Mosaic had ALOT of empty seats and they usually pack them in pretty good
I d be interested in seeing what the attendance stats are thus far vs last season at the same point in time
Quote from: dd on June 14, 2026, 02:48:22 AMAttendance looked low at mosaic but most games thus far have had a lot of empty seats—is there a mini protest going on by the fans?? Mosaic had ALOT of empty seats and they usually pack them in pretty good
I d be interested in seeing what the attendance stats are thus far vs last season at the same point in time
They had a good crowd and with them hanging the banner I was expecting a sellout.....looks like Winnipeg has 15 consecutive sellouts and wondering why Regina can't sell out their park especially after winning the Grey Cup??
Quote from: Lincoln Locomotive on June 14, 2026, 02:54:28 AMThey had a good crowd and with them hanging the banner I was expecting a sellout.....looks like Winnipeg has 15 consecutive sellouts and wondering why Regina can't sell out their park especially after winning the Grey Cup??
Regina is a much smaller city than Winnipeg so they have to draw from from rural areas and Saskatoon. Cost of going to a game has increased alot with the hotel, gas etc.... I think the Craig Dickerson years turned off some fans also.
Were a bit of an anomaly in the CFL, may be due to a combo of Wade creating a great game day experience, and the fact we've been winning almost all our home games for 5 years. Not sure sellouts will continue if we miss the playoffs for a few years. We do have great fans though.
For the games I've watched on tv, Winnipeg's was the best attended by far. Calgary game vs bombers, Hamilton's home opener, Ottawa s attendance was weak but that's to be expected given the poor product they have to draw fans, and now the riders game was maaaaybe half full, I can't recall such poor attendance across the league as right now. We are definitely at a cross road here
Tecno is going to love this post. Sask AGAIN pulled the same trick he pointed out last year.
The scenario: Sask just nailed for a holding penalty. 1st and 20, trailing by 3 at their own 15. 3 minutes left.
The play: Oulette runs into db, Harris throws ball over his head. Immediately Oulette waving his arms. Immediately, Harris goes to the official, immediately Mace throws challenge flag. Because they KNEW what was happening, they planned it.
Usually a coach will hold the flag in his hand a bit while he talks with the upstairs coaches but no need to here. Also note that Harris looked at Oulette the entire play and never released the ball until he saw the contact was made for sure. The always accurate Harris then throws over everyone so it can't be caught, intentional. Everyone play acting like it's a soccer match.
End zone view is the best.
https://youtu.be/QJLcaIFI2kg?t=5398
pics attached: Harris looking at Oulette, Harris still with ball but contact is made, Harris releasing the ball AFTER contact.
Looked intentional to me also, Oulette runs right into the DB, who's entitled to his space.
Great offences but horrible defences by both teams. Usually the defences are better coming out of TC and pre-season. Not this year.
BC lost on 2 major mistakes. A drop in the end zone cost them 4 points, and taking a knee with the ball in the end zone cost them another point.
Riders attendance dropped last year too. The myth that they are the greatest fans dhould be dead.
Quote from: TBURGESS on June 14, 2026, 02:18:30 PMBC lost on 2 major mistakes. A drop in the end zone cost them 4 points, and taking a knee with the ball in the end zone cost them another point.
Would that punt into the end zone go out of the field of play and not result in a point. I know the broadcasters were making that point, possibly correctly, but was it a fact?
Regardless there have been many instances showing the importance of the rouge in the Canadian game. I don't like how they've changed the rule.
I thought they got the call wrong on review. Contact clearly happened before the ball was released.
Also the quick whistle on the Mcinnes catch which probably was a td.
Not a good night for refs. I do not like ref Justin Mcinnes, and his crew.
Is that the woman ref that made a mistake that cost the bombers last season?
Quote from: Waffler on June 14, 2026, 01:41:48 PMTecno is going to love this post. Sask AGAIN pulled the same trick he pointed out last year.
The scenario: Sask just nailed for a holding penalty. 1st and 20, trailing by 3 at their own 15. 3 minutes left.
The play: Oulette runs into db, Harris throws ball over his head. Immediately Oulette waving his arms. Immediately, Harris goes to the official, immediately Mace throws challenge flag. Because they KNEW what was happening, they planned it.
Usually a coach will hold the flag in his hand a bit while he talks with the upstairs coaches but no need to here. Also note that Harris looked at Oulette the entire play and never released the ball until he saw the contact was made for sure. The always accurate Harris then throws over everyone so it can't be caught, intentional. Everyone play acting like it's a soccer match.
End zone view is the best.
https://youtu.be/QJLcaIFI2kg?t=5398
pics attached: Harris looking at Oulette, Harris still with ball but contact is made, Harris releasing the ball AFTER contact.
Good catch, their receivers blocking on the edge hold as much as their o-line does, they've been working that scheme for years and everybody knows their role. 2 receivers grab jersies inside the shoulders and push the defenders downfield so it looks like blocking, while the ball carrier weaves around them.
Despite that their over the middle game is deadly, don't like the Bombers chances of stopping them. Somebody has to hit them and put the fear of Taylor Loffler into Emulus and TSB, those plays are killers.
Quote from: Waffler on June 14, 2026, 01:41:48 PMTecno is going to love this post. Sask AGAIN pulled the same trick he pointed out last year.
Good pics. Ya, that's a classic "mugging" (my nomenclature). Happens several times a year. Rules & precedent mean that you're going to win that challenge and the O will get that free 1st down every time.
I would add one more thing that makes this a blatant mug: are we to believe that at that point in the game Trevor is going to attempt a 25Y pass to Oullette, a RB with questionable hands?? Pfft. A dump pass, sure. But I'm not sure Oullette has caught a 20+ yard pass ever (excluding YAC). It's not in his skill set. Therefore when he's appearing to run for a 25Y and just happens to get bumped, ya that was a setup.
But the league allows it, and rewards it, and have since Sayles used to get wrekt by those in 2018.
Quote from: bunker on June 14, 2026, 01:44:40 PMLooked intentional to me also, Oulette runs right into the DB, who's entitled to his space.
But he's not. He should be, but he's not. Especially if he puts his hands on the guy, which most people automatically do to avoid getting rammed down.
I suppose if the DB was standing there completely still with his hands way up in the air and he gets mugged, MAYBE he doesn't get flagged. Maybe.
However, in the real world the RECs pick out a guy, 5Y+ downfield, often a LB, who is staring at the QB and not expecting the mug. Like here. It's an easy way to get out of a tough situation or convert a critical 2nd & long.
What does the guy getting mugged have to do to avoid the IC/DPI? He has to pay attention to oncoming RECs and he HAS to get out of the way. Or the league needs to do a better job of having command analyze if the REC was purposely trying to run through the D without any attempt to step around him. Or we need a rule change.
Quote from: bomb squad on June 14, 2026, 02:27:14 PMI thought they got the call wrong on review. Contact clearly happened before the ball was released.
I'm not sure what "before" matters? I think Rod was talking out his butt again? Unless there's some "after the ball is released" verbiage to the DPI rule? Don't think there is.
Even if there is, the mug is IC all day every day. And the rule on DPI is if there's IC and you throw that way it's now DPI.
Ya, you can't challenge IC, but command might be able to call down IC if they see it on a DPI challenge?
So I don't think the before/after thrown aspect matters in the slightest (except on a behind-LoS pass of course). I'm open to being corrected.
Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on June 14, 2026, 06:00:19 PMGood catch, their receivers blocking on the edge hold as much as their o-line does, they've been working that scheme for years and everybody knows their role. 2 receivers grab jersies inside the shoulders and push the defenders downfield so it looks like blocking, while the ball carrier weaves around them.
Oh ya, it's max hold all day, every day in SSK. I was really glad to see the zebras throwing 2-3 holdings against them today. Only if they take flags will they ease up. Until then it's cheat away!
Oh ya, and it's the smart play and I'm jealous. They've turned it into an art form. Max hold until you start taking penalties, then back off a bit. We should be training our players on this. But we don't, and we won't. Thus we don't/won't have that advantage that SSK has.
Waffler, you should have spotted another Tecno tick-off:
2Q2:21 Rourke TD is mega tandem block, pushing, pulling (more egregious in my books), etc.
I'm hating these more and more. Eliminate the rule, or enforce it. I think it really will take some REC/RB getting creamed by multiple 330 lb beef hitting them every which way before the league does something about this.
"Player safety is job #1" indeed.
You need a special D plan to win against SSK. BC didn't have it. I hope to heck Hall/Younger have been working on this all off-season, or we won't have it either.
Many seasons ago, like in maybe '22-'23, you needed a special D plan to stop SSK's dink & dunk. Yes, even before Mace and T.Harris they were the kings of the dink & dunk. It must be an O'Day thing.
Almost no one could stop it, just like now. But back then Hall found a way. I think one of those years we beat SSK most/all games. We found the secret trick to stop all of those unstoppable short passes, usually by clogging throwing lanes, while still stopping their run. But we seem to have forgotten that.
Since we have to beat them 2 times in the regular season, and they are likely the main rival to win the W, I hope our D braintrust has been taking their ginko biloba and coming up with solutions.
Quote from: Tecno on June 15, 2026, 07:47:48 AMBut he's not. He should be, but he's not. Especially if he puts his hands on the guy, which most people automatically do to avoid getting rammed down.
I suppose if the DB was standing there completely still with his hands way up in the air and he gets mugged, MAYBE he doesn't get flagged. Maybe.
However, in the real world the RECs pick out a guy, 5Y+ downfield, often a LB, who is staring at the QB and not expecting the mug. Like here. It's an easy way to get out of a tough situation or convert a critical 2nd & long.
What does the guy getting mugged have to do to avoid the IC/DPI? He has to pay attention to oncoming RECs and he HAS to get out of the way. Or the league needs to do a better job of having command analyze if the REC was purposely trying to run through the D without any attempt to step around him. Or we need a rule change.
Obviously this. There is an infraction about blocking downfield before the ball is thrown. If the ref judges the offensive player is initiating the context, then enforce this.
Quote from: Tecno on June 15, 2026, 07:51:11 AMI'm not sure what "before" matters? I think Rod was talking out his butt again? Unless there's some "after the ball is released" verbiage to the DPI rule? Don't think there is.
Even if there is, the mug is IC all day every day. And the rule on DPI is if there's IC and you throw that way it's now DPI.
Ya, you can't challenge IC, but command might be able to call down IC if they see it on a DPI challenge?
So I don't think the before/after thrown aspect matters in the slightest (except on a behind-LoS pass of course). I'm open to being corrected.
If the ball isn't in the air then the penalty is interference not DPI. That's a 10 yard penalty and not a spot foul. I'm not sure about the timing of what happened.
Quote from: Tecno on June 15, 2026, 07:51:11 AMI'm not sure what "before" matters? I think Rod was talking out his butt again? Unless there's some "after the ball is released" verbiage to the DPI rule? Don't think there is.
Even if there is, the mug is IC all day every day. And the rule on DPI is if there's IC and you throw that way it's now DPI.
Ya, you can't challenge IC, but command might be able to call down IC if they see it on a DPI challenge?
So I don't think the before/after thrown aspect matters in the slightest (except on a behind-LoS pass of course). I'm open to being corrected.
Without looking at the rule book, my take based on purely on logic: In order for there to be Pass Interference, there needs to be a pass thrown when the the interference occurs. If the interfence occurs before the pass is thrown, there's no Pass Interference.
In the case in question, the Replay Center likely concluded that there was still some interference occurring after the ball was released. I don't believe that was clear and obvious, therefore I don't think they should have overturned the call.
Quote from: bomb squad on June 15, 2026, 08:07:10 PMWithout looking at the rule book, my take based on purely on logic: In order for there to be Pass Interference, there needs to be a pass thrown when the the interference occurs. If the interfence occurs before the pass is thrown, there's no Pass Interference.
In the case in question, the Replay Center likely concluded that there was still some interference occurring after the ball was released. I don't believe that was clear and obvious, therefore I don't think they should have overturned the call.
I don't think that is totally correct. We do see " interference " past 5 yards before the pass is in the air. That might even be true on a play that ends in a run.
Quote from: Tecno on June 15, 2026, 07:43:18 AMGood pics. Ya, that's a classic "mugging" (my nomenclature). Happens several times a year. Rules & precedent mean that you're going to win that challenge and the O will get that free 1st down every time.
I would add one more thing that makes this a blatant mug: are we to believe that at that point in the game Trevor is going to attempt a 25Y pass to Oullette, a RB with questionable hands?? Pfft. A dump pass, sure. But I'm not sure Oullette has caught a 20+ yard pass ever (excluding YAC). It's not in his skill set. Therefore when he's appearing to run for a 25Y and just happens to get bumped, ya that was a setup.
But the league allows it, and rewards it, and have since Sayles used to get wrekt by those in 2018.
That's an old Dave Dickenson ploy, in critical moments late in games they often ran a receiver straight into a DB, Mace likely picked up on it in his 5 years as a member of Dickie's coaching staff. One thing about Mace, he doesn't mind crossing the line to gain an advantage.
Quote from: Blue In BC on June 15, 2026, 08:12:29 PMI don't think that is totally correct. We do see " interference " past 5 yards before the pass is in the air. That might even be true on a play that ends in a run.
That "interference" is Illegal Contact.
Quote from: bomb squad on June 15, 2026, 08:55:05 PMThat "interference" is Illegal Contact.
Sure but the point is the same about the timing and whether a pass is thrown or not.
Quote from: Blue In BC on June 15, 2026, 09:10:20 PMSure but the point is the same about the timing and whether a pass is thrown or not.
Ok
Quote from: Blue In BC on June 15, 2026, 09:10:20 PMSure but the point is the same about the timing and whether a pass is thrown or not.
Illegal contact can be called whether a pass is thrown or not--Qb drops back to pass, eyes his receiver who gets knocked down so the Qb has to take off and run or get sacked, that IC is called every time
Quote from: Blue In BC on June 15, 2026, 01:36:11 PMIf the ball isn't in the air then the penalty is interference not DPI. That's a 10 yard penalty and not a spot foul. I'm not sure about the timing of what happened.
Not according to the rule book. At least not what I found so far! 6.4.11 Forward Pass Interference does not mention the timing of the ball leaving the QB vs when the contact occurs. At all. So unless there's some "superseding" rule somewhere that clarifies, I don't think it matters when the contact occurs at all.
As TSN always explains ad nauseam, "DPI is IC but when the ball was thrown that way". This play was clearly IC, and the ball was thrown that way, thus DPI.
And it stands to reason. Think of quick hitters where the QB is chucking it 6Y past the LoS, for maybe 12Y total from QB to REC, say on 2nd & 5 on a quick slant. Some crossing LBer smacks him a little early. Are you telling me it matters whether or not the dude got smacked
in the 0.5s the ball was actually in the air? Like refs can gauge this?? Impossible. They just look for contact and ask themselves if the ball went that way. That's it. Just like TSN says.
If you want to prove me wrong, find the rule, and/or tell me the next time it happens in a game and command acts like it matters. Oh ya, and Waffler's pics show it was super clear in this instance the hit came before the pass, and the fact command called DPI proves the timing doesn't matter.
Quote from: bunker on June 15, 2026, 12:00:37 PMObviously this. There is an infraction about blocking downfield before the ball is thrown. If the ref judges the offensive player is initiating the context, then enforce this.
Yes, that's right near the DPI article, and it's called Illegal Interference Blocking Downfield. And that governs what team A can do (Oullette), not team B (BC D). So it's pretty much irrelevant to this. (There's the behind-LoS rule right before it, that also doesn't apply here.) These are the penalties we often see and associate with "blocking downfield" flags/verbiage.
If you search the entire rule book for "prior to a pass" and "prior to a forward pass", and that verbiage only exists in this small little section.