B.C. Lions’ SAM linebacker Emmanuel Rugamba returns vs. Riders

Photo: Paul Yates/B.C. Lions

The B.C. Lions will have one of the league’s most exciting young defensive players back in the lineup when they face the Saskatchewan Roughriders on Saturday.

Strong-side linebacker Emmanuel Rugamba, who missed the team’s Week 5 victory with a rib injury, is slated to return for this one, bumping Quincy Mauger back to his normal safety spot. In four games this season, Rugamba has amassed 16 tackles and a sack.

The 25-year-old burst onto the scene in 2022, starting 11 games as a rookie. He recorded 38 tackles, one sack, and one interception.

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To accommodate the move, depth linebacker Brooks Parker will return to the practice roster, while Canadian defensive back Patrice Rene (ankle) has been added to the one-game injured list. Canadian running back Kienan LaFrance is slated to return after being a healthy scratch last week.

Rookie defensive end Francis Bemiy Jr. and receiver Daniel Petermann remain healthy scratches, but will be joined by running back Taquan Mizzell. The 29-year-old back has 46 carries for 246 yards in four games and practiced fully all week after missing Week 5 with a knee injury. However, he will remain off the roster in favour of Shaun Shivers, who produced 136 all-purpose yards and a touchdown in his CFL debut.

The Lions (4-1) will host the Riders (3-2) on Saturday, July 22 at 7:00 p.m. EDT. They are currently [metabet_core_dynamic_odds market=”spread-home” query=”531030″ site_id=”3downnation”] point favourites.