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

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.

Photo courtesy: B.C. Lions