Roughriders welcome two new pieces to offensive line

The Saskatchewan Roughriders are adding a couple of key veterans to their offensive line.

Ahead of the Riders’ Saturday game in Calgary against the Stampeders, Saskatchewan has been practising with Jerald Hawkins (who left training camp prior to the team’s second pre-season game) at left tackle and Colin Kelly (who was suspended for the first two games of this CFL season) at right tackle. Kickoff for the game is set for 5 p.m.

Hawkins was all smiles as he rejoined his teammates on the field.

“It feels amazing. I missed the team, I missed my brothers and missed the coaches,” the 29-year-old product of Baldwin, La., said. “It’s peace of mind in all honesty.”

Hawkins left the team to go home for a personal matter.

“I’m just happy to be back; I’ll leave that where it’s at,” Hawkins said. “I’m back here now and can control what I can control.”

While Hawkins was at home, he watched the Riders’ first two games of the season.

“It was nerve-wracking and there’s a little anxiety in you because you wish you could be there and be with them and encourage them and stuff like that,” Hawkins said. “They held it down.”

Hawkins was a fourth-round pick by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2016 NFL draft. He played in 19 NFL games in a career split between the Steelers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Houston Texans, New England Patriots and New Orleans Saints.

But the last game he suited up for was in 2021 and he had thought his football career was over, coaching high school football.

But the Riders gave him a call to come to Saskatchewan and give the CFL a try.

“I can’t wait. I’m looking forward to those chills, those jitterbugs, the hair on the back of your neck raising up,” Hawkins said. “Being out of football and not physically being there and just being the coach, you miss every part. It doesn’t matter if it’s the worse parts or the good parts, you miss it.

“It was a shock (to get the call). I thought I was done with that stage in my life but they gave me that opportunity and I’ve been loving it ever since.”

Kelly might be a CFL veteran but he took a detour this past off-season to go and play in the XFL with the Seattle Sea Dragons. He was named to the All-XFL team.

Offensive lineman Colin Kelly (66) during Saskatchewan Roughriders practice. (Britton Gray/980 CJME)

“It was a different style of football … I knew I might still have an opportunity up here but I guess I’m getting up there in the football world age,” the 33-year-old said. “I just wanted to see if I still had it.”

Kelly said he’s really only had three weeks off from football between the CFL, a tryout with the Saints, the XFL and now another CFL season.

“Your mind is powerful. I don’t feel that worn down at all,” Kelly said. “I feel pretty good myself.”

Kelly, who acts as his own agent, said he negotiated a clause into his XFL contract that would allow him to get out early in order to sign with a CFL team.

“Some guys are able to do it. There are some guys who are Canadian and they can decide to do it, but at the end of the day, it’s (all about) does a team want you or not,” Kelly said. “If no one wants you out here, what are you doing?”

Kelly has played 90 games over seven seasons with Ottawa, Edmonton and Hamilton.

He signed with the Riders on June 4 but was ineligible to play after being suspended by the CFL for testing positive for a banned substance.

But he’s ready to return to the CFL and help the Riders succeed this season.

“That first home game, just being able to see that and see the crowd and everything, it’s pretty exciting,” Kelly said. “I can’t wait.”

Notes: The Riders announced the signing of two national defenders to the roster. Linebacker Brian Harelimana and defensive back Kosi Onyeka were added to the team. Harelimana was selected by the Montreal Alouettes in the fourth round (33rd overall) of the 2020 CFL draft. The 27-year-old played in 27 games for the Als, recording 14 defensive tackles, nine special-teams tackles, three sacks, and one forced fumble. Onyeka returns to the Riders after being at the 2023 training camp.The 23-year-old saw action in eight games for the Riders last season, recording one defensive tackle and one special-teams tackle … Defensive lineman Anthony Lanier II (foot), defensive end Nic Dheilly (head), fullback Albert Awachie (hamstring), running back Frankie Hickson (shoulder), receiver Juwan Brescacin (shoulder), safety Jayden Dalke (back) and defensive back Rolan Milligan (back) all didn’t participate in Wednesday’s practice. Defensive end Lake Korte-Moore (hamstring) participated on Wednesday.