Riders hold Elimimian, Arceneaux out of Canada Day game

Screenshot courtesy: Saskatchewan Roughriders

The Saskatchewan Roughriders won’t have big-name free agent signings, linebacker Solomon Elimimian or receiver Manny Arceneaux in the lineup for Canada Day.

Both of the star players practised during the week leading up to the Week 3 game against the Toronto Argos, but neither were deemed ready to play.

“Not quite ready, it was tight – I mean it was close. We’d like them, but it was just late in the week and we felt like we were going to go with the 45 we got,” Riders head coach Craig Dickenson said.

Elimimian will now have missed Saskatchewan’s first three regular season games with a calf injury. Meanwhile Arceneaux suffered a torn ACL against Saskatchewan on August 25, 2018 and been working back towards 100 per cent.

Elimimian signed a one-year contract worth approximately $160,000 in early May after the B.C. Lions released the veteran defender. Arceneaux inked a one-year contract through the 2019 season during free agency in February. Between the former Leos teammates there are seven CFL all-star awards.

Head coach Craig Dickenson said he likes to give players an extra week once they feel good to go. The status of Eliminian and Arceneaux will be monitored closely for another week.