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Both AJ Ouellette and Ka’Deem Carey provide a formidable one-two punch for the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
AJ Ouellette handled a bulk of the work from the running back spot in the team’s 28-23 win over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, rushing 97 yards, which included a 47-yard scamper to the end zone. That run was the longest of his CFL career.
“It felt good to just finish a game healthy and contribute and help the team win,” said Ouellette, who left Week 1 with a head injury early in the team’s win over the Ottawa Redblacks.
Despite only signing with the Riders last Monday, Carey suited up for the Riders in the game. Carey had been released by the Toronto Argonauts after training camp.
“It was a lot of work (to get up to speed), but I got used to it really quickly. A lot of the stuff was very similar, so I adjusted quickly,” Carey said.
He had four rushes for 26 yards in his Riders’ debut.
“It’s a special backfield that you have. When he went for that 50-yarder, all that did was excite me and make me want to go out there and make a special play myself,” Carey said. “When you have two all-star backs, anything can happen. When you have those receivers catching those balls down the field, it can be dangerous.”
This is also the first time both of them will play against their former team in Toronto. Kickoff for the game is set for 5:30 p.m. on Friday. The Green Zone pregame show begins at 3:30 p.m.
Ouellette was an Argonauts running back from 2019-23, winning a Grey Cup with them in 2022 at Mosaic Stadium and then rushing for over 1,000 yards in 2023. He joined the Saskatchewan Roughriders during the 2024 CFL free agency.
Due to injuries last season, this is the first time he will play in Toronto as a Rider. He played them in Week 5 at Mosaic Stadium, rushing for 67 yards in the contest.
“It’s going to be a fun one. I’m used to the grass, so I’m going to be excited to see if I have some extra footwork on the grass,” Ouellette said.
For Carey, it’s an early-season chance to show the Argos made a mistake in releasing him. Carey had 1,060 yards and seven touchdowns as he helped Toronto win the Grey Cup last season.
“There’s a lot of motivation going there. I’m with the right team and we are going to go out there and coach is going to put me in the right position to make plays,” Carey said.
“I think they already see they are in the wrong (for cutting me). I’m just with the right squad right now and excited to show what we can do out there. We haven’t put a full game together so I think this will be a great team to go out and put 60 minutes together.”
Wide receiver Sam Emilus isn’t going to play this week as he deals with a foot injury.
“It’s going to be pretty tough for old Sammy this week. We’re not anticipating anything long-term, but it’s going to be tough for him this week,” Mace said.
