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B.C. Lions reshuffle secondary versus Riders amid injuries, suspensions
by 3Down Staff September 24, 2026
The B.C. Lions will have a new look in the secondary when they face the Saskatchewan Roughriders on Friday night, fueled by some key absences.
American veteran Ronald Kent Jr. and Canadian safety Josh Hagerty will each serve suspensions for incidents in the Week 15 victory over the Montreal Alouettes, while cornerbacks Garry Peters and C.J. Coldon remain unavailable due to injuries.
Robert Carter Jr., who was signed on Tuesday after his release from the Indianapolis Colts, will start immediately at boundary cornerback. The 23-year-old primarily played halfback as a rookie last season, recording 51 defensive tackles, five interceptions, one forced fumble, and a defensive touchdown. He also had a kickoff return for a touchdown in the playoffs.
Canadian Cristophe Beaulieu, who started at nickel in his first game back from injury, has moved to field halfback to cover for Kent. Deontai Williams will move back to his traditional nickel spot, and Stantley Thomas-Oliver will step in at field cornerback.
Former NFL Draft pick Thomas Graham, who joined the team on Monday, will also dress as insurance. Lawrence Woods III, who had been handling return duties, has been placed on the reserve roster. It is unclear who will take the lead in the return game in his absence, though Carter and Stanley Berryhill III both have experience.
The Lions will get veteran defensive end Lorenzo Mauldin IV back in the rotation this week, though Canadian defensive tackle Nathan Cherry has been placed on the reserve roster with a thigh issue. Rookie David Gusta will dress for interior depth, while Shaun Peterson Jr. returns to the practice roster.
On special teams, the return of Canadian fullback Jacob Bond from a two-game PED suspension will provide a boost, while rookie Canadian linebacker Chase Hennning is also slated to dress. American running back Emani Bailey has been returned to the practice roster.
Chris Oladokun, who won two Super Bowls as a backup with the Kansas City Chiefs, will dress as the third-string quarterback following the release of veteran Chase Brice.
The B.C. Lions (7-6) will host the Saskatchewan Roughriders (8-5) on Friday, September 25, with kickoff scheduled for 10:30 p.m. EDT. Both teams were on bye this past week.
The game will be broadcast on TSN in Canada and CFL+ internationally. Radio listeners can tune in on 620 CKRM in Regina or 730 CKNW (English) or Sher-E-Punjab Radio AM 600 (Punjabi) in Vancouver.
https://3downnation.com/2026/09/24/b-c-lions-reshuffle-secondary-versus-riders-amid-injuries-suspensions/
Kian Schaffer-Baker, A.J. Ouellette return for Saskatchewan Roughriders in B.C.
by 3Down Staff September 24, 2026
The Saskatchewan Roughriders will have two key offensive starters back in the lineup when they face the B.C. Lions on Friday night.
Canadian receiver Kian Schaffer-Baker and American running back A.J. Ouellette are each slated to make their return from injury in Vancouver.
Ouellette has played only four regular-season games in 2026, recording 63 carries for 288 yards and four receptions for 30 yards. He has missed the team's last seven games with a knee injury.
The 31-year-old has played 66 career regular-season games with the Toronto Argonauts and Roughriders, rushing for 3,850 yards, making 114 receptions for 979 yards, and scoring 26 touchdowns. He is a two-time All-East Division selection and two-time Grey Cup champion.
Schaffer-Baker has made 45 catches for 704 yards and four touchdowns in seven regular-season games this year. The 28-year-old still ranks top-20 in CFL receiving yards despite having missed Saskatchewan's last six games with a knee ailment. The team went 3-3 in his absence.
The native of Mississauga, Ont., was originally selected in the fourth round of the 2020 CFL Draft out of the University of Guelph. He has since caught 265 passes for 3,569 yards and 18 touchdowns in 64 career regular-season CFL games.
To make room for the two returning stars, American receiver Shemar Bridges has been placed on the reserve roster, while rookie running back Quali Conley is on the one-game injured list with a wrist issue. Canadian fullback Albert Awachie will also be back after an ankle injury, sending offensive lineman Erik Andersen to the practice roster.
Defensively, the Riders will be without Seyi Oladipo Jr., who has been placed on the six-game injured list due to an ankle problem. In six games, the 23-year-old had made 14 total tackles, two sacks, and an interception.
Antoine Brooks Jr. will take back his old job at strong-side linebacker after previously giving way to the rookie due to injury. Elsewhere in the secondary, Marcus Sayles is shifting from boundary cornerback to halfback, bumping Jonathan Edouard out of the starting lineup. James Burgess Jr. moves from field cornerback to the boundary, and Canadian rookie Malcolm Bell will make his first career start on the field side after being selected in the first round of the 2026 CFL Draft.
American defensive lineman Devin Adams will return in a rotational capacity, while Canadian defensive end Liam Hoskins has been placed back on the practice roster.
The Saskatchewan Roughriders (8-5) will visit the B.C. Lions (7-6) on Friday, September 25, with kickoff scheduled for 10:30 p.m. EDT. Both teams were on bye this past week.
The game will be broadcast on TSN in Canada and CFL+ internationally. Radio listeners can tune in on 620 CKRM in Regina or 730 CKNW (English) or Sher-E-Punjab Radio AM 600 (Punjabi) in Vancouver.
https://3downnation.com/2026/09/24/kian-schaffer-baker-a-j-ouellette-return-for-saskatchewan-roughriders-in-b-c/
Who do we want to win this game?
Quote from: Blue In BC on September 24, 2026, 03:02:26 PMWho do we want to win this game?
I think if you have faith in the Bombers, you want the Lions to win to help open up 2nd place.
If you have...concerns... you want Sask to win so we have an easier path the 3rd.
Quote from: Jesse on September 24, 2026, 11:47:34 PMI think if you have faith in the Bombers, you want the Lions to win to help open up 2nd place.
I think we'll win no matter what because there will be casualties in this game. It'll be brutally violent. Both these teams need this win badly. Could be some season enders.
Looks good on tommy Stevens didn't make the third down gamble, take your highlighted hair and go sit on the sidelines!!
Buck has done a very nice job with the Lions. Of course it helps when you have a QB like NR.
Well, if T.Harris takes losing badly, then he'll sure be eating a lot more ice cream in bed while napping after this one.
It's unraveling for SSK, who looked like world-beaters to start the season. And even worse than the BB loss, SSK has 2 of their big guns back so there's really no excuse anymore. I have a feeling Riderfansland is melting down right about now.
I think teams have now thoroughly dissected the SSK O. Everyone spent the off-season cracking that nut, and SSK didn't innovate, it would seem.