Roughriders attempting to clinch playoff spot this weekend

For the first time since 2021, the Saskatchewan Roughriders (7-7-1) will have the chance to put an x beside their name in the standings this weekend.  

The Roughriders will head to Edmonton on Saturday for their final road game of the regular season when they meet the Elks at Commonwealth Stadium.  

After going winless for seven games (0-6-1), the green and white have reeled off a pair of victories against Calgary and Ottawa that moved them into second spot in the Canadian Football League’s (CFL) Western Division.  

Last Saturday’s win against Ottawa did take a toll on the Roughriders with the team losing wide receiver Shawn Bane Jr. (knee) and running back Ryquell Armstead (shoulder) to injuries.  

Offensive lineman Jacob Brammer will also miss Saturday’s game after he returned to the lineup last week.  

Defensive back Deontai Williams will not play this week due to a one-game suspension issued by the league for an illegal tackle on Redblacks wide receiver Kalil Pimpleton where Williams slammed Pimpleton into the ground in the final moments of the Roughriders victory.  

There is some good news for Saskatchewan with players drawing back to the lineup. Linebacker CJ Reavis is back after a one game absence, he will return to the strongside linebacker position.  

With Williams out, Damarcus Fields shifts back to the secondary at halfback and Amari Henderson moves over to the cornerback spot that was occupied by Williams.  

Defensive end Bryan Cox Jr will return after being out for last week’s game due to an illness.  

Wide receiver Jerreth Sterns is going to see his first game action since August 8. With the emergence of receivers Keesean Johnson and Dohnte Meyers in 2024, Sterns has been a healthy scratch for Saskatchewan during that time.  

For the Roughriders to claim a playoff berth, they will need a win and some help with losses from the Calgary Stampeders and the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, although the Stampeders and Tiger-Cats are meeting a pair of teams the Roughriders are battling for playoff positioning with in the BC Lions and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.  

A Winnipeg victory over Hamilton, along with a loss by the Roughriders on Saturday, would mean the Blue Bombers would secure first place in the Western Division and would host the Western Final on Saturday, November 9 at Princess Auto Stadium.  

Like the Roughriders, BC can also clinch a playoff spot this week, but it requires a win against Calgary, and victories from teams they are battling for positioning in the final stretch of the regular season (Winnipeg and Saskatchewan).  

So far in 2024, the Roughriders and Elks have split their first two encounters with the road team prevailing in each contest. Saskatchewan opened the season with a win in Edmonton back in June while the Elks shocked the Roughriders in August.  

Following this week’s action, Saskatchewan will finish the regular season with a pair of home games, Saturday, October 12 against BC and Saturday, October 26.