Keric Wheatfall, Demerio Houston return for Winnipeg Blue Bombers against Riders

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers will have receiver Keric Wheatfall and defensive back Demerio Houston back in the lineup when they host the Saskatchewan Roughriders at Princess Auto Stadium on Friday night.

Wheatfall missed the team’s last two games after taking a vicious shot during the club’s win over the Ottawa Redblacks in Week 16. The 26-year-old native of Brenham, Texas has caught 40 passes for 619 yards and four touchdowns this season, his second with the team. Wheatfall will start in place of Dillon Mitchell, who has been placed on the one-game injured list as a healthy scratch.

Houston didn’t dress for the team’s loss to the Edmonton Elks last week after he was late coming back from the bye week due to personal reasons. The veteran defender, who has recorded 11 defensive tackles over three regular-season games this year, will start at boundary cornerback opposite Jamal Parker, who will start at field-side cornerback.

Dexter Lawson Jr., who has made nine starts in the secondary this season, has been moved to the one-game injured list as a healthy scratch.

The Blue Bombers will also have Canadian receiver Gavin Cobb in the starting lineup for the first time this season as Nic Demski is out due to a hamstring injury. The 27-year-old was a collegiate standout with the University of Manitoba Bisons and signed with Winnipeg as a free agent in February following a three-year run with the Edmonton Elks during which he caught 18 passes for 308 yards and two touchdowns.

Winnipeg cannot clinch a playoff spot with a win on Friday night, though they will do so if the Edmonton Elks lose to the B.C. Lions. Though the Blue Bombers won the season series against the Elks, they will be the odd team out if there is a three or four-way tie in the West Division standings.

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers (8-8) will host the Saskatchewan Roughriders (12-4) at Princess Auto Stadium on Friday, October 17 with kickoff slated for 8:00 p.m. EDT. The Riders are coming off a win over Toronto that allowed them to clinch first place in the West Division, while the Blue Bombers lost to Edmonton, failing to clinch a playoff spot in the process.

The weather forecast in Winnipeg calls for a high of 11 degrees with rainy conditions. The game will be broadcast on TSN in Canada and CFL+ internationally. Radio listeners can tune-in on 620 CKRM in Regina and 680 CJOB in Winnipeg.

Winnipeg Blue Bombers