Revamped Saskatchewan Roughriders set roster for season-opening clash with Edmonton Elks

Photo courtesy: CFL/Saskatchewan Roughriders

The Saskatchewan Roughriders have set their roster for their season-opening game against the Edmonton Elks with both new and old faces dotting the lineup.

Prized free-agent acquisition Trevor Harris will pilot the Riders’ offence with fellow free-agent signee Jake Wieneke also starting his first game in green and white.

Receiver Derel Walker, another free agent acquisition, will start the game on the bench behind Mario Alford as part of the league’s new nationalized American designation rule. Walker will be able to play unlimited snaps replacing Alford and can also replace either Mitch Picton, Juwan Brescacin or Samuel Emilus for up to 23 plays.

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A number of key players will also miss Sunday’s game, including veteran linebacker Derrick Moncrief and veteran offensive lineman Philip Blake.

Moncrief has been added to the one-game injured list and is joined there by quarterback Jake Dolegala, punter Kara Vedvik and receiver Tevin Jones.

Blake lands on the six-game injured list with fellow Canadians, receivers Brayden Lenius and Kian Schaffer-Baker as well as defensive back Godfrey Onyeka.

The Riders will also be without recently signed offensive lineman Colin Kelly as he serves his two-game suspension for violating the league’s performance-enhancing drug policy.

Sunday’s game against the Edmonton Elks begins at 7:00 p.m. EDT at Commonwealth Stadium. The Elks are promoting Sunday’s contest as “Guarantee Win Night.” Edmonton has gone winless at home the last two CFL regular seasons.

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