Charleston Hughes worked with the starters at Riders practice

Photo courtesy: Scott Grant/CFLPhotoArchive.com

Charleston Hughes just needed a little rest and relaxation during the Riders’ bye week.

On Defense, Charleston Hughes back with the starters on the D-line. Zack Evans is here for his first practice since being placed on the 6-game injured list. He’s working with the backups. #Riders

— Taylor Shire (@Taylor_Shire) September 24, 2019

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Hughes’ name was nowhere to be found on the final Saskatchewan depth chart for their Week 14 game against Montreal, which resulted in a win for the green and white. He was listed as a starter on the initial depth chart, but the revised and last copy moved him off.

The Riders put Hughes to the one-game injured list. Aches, pains and playing the long game went into the Riders’ decision to sit the star defensive end.

“That was a close one because he could’ve played. But his elbow’s bothering him and he’s also got a knee that’s been giving him trouble,” head coach Craig Dickenson said. “We want to be fresh near the end.”

The 35-year-old leads the CFL with 13 sacks in 11 games. Hughes has topped the league in quarterback takedowns four times in his career: 2013, 2016, 2017 and 2018. Five straight seasons Hughes has notched double-digit sack totals and been a league all-star five times.