A.J. Ouellette, Kian Schaffer-Baker back with starters in practice

Ahead of the final stretch of the Saskatchewan Roughriders’ season, running back A.J. Ouellette and slotback Kian Schaffer-Baker could provide a boost for the offence.

Ouellette injured his knee in Week 8 against the Edmonton Elks.

“Any time you miss one game, one play, it sucks. It’s good to get back out here and hope coach gives me the nod to play this week,” Ouellette said.

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The injury to Ouellette came as he was tackled during a rushing attempt, and his leg bent awkwardly.

“That was the first time I’ve felt that feeling in my knee. You don’t want to think the worst but then when you get to your phone and you have (former) medical staff people saying, ‘Praying for you. That did not look very good,’ you’re like shoot,” Ouellette said. “You go and get the MRI and the person reading it goes, ‘It’s actually not that bad,’ so you’re like, ‘OK, good.'”

The following week, in the rematch against the Elks, Schaffer-Baker injured his knee and has been out since. He was able to get back with the first-team offence at Monday’s practice.

“Greatest blessing in the world. Don’t ever take these moments for granted. Every single time you step out on the field with our brothers and sisters, you leave it all out there and soak up every single moment. It’s like being a little kid,” Schaffer-Baker said. “(Injuries) are never a fun one to go through but you just have to trust the process.”

Schaffer-Baker was on pace for a career year before his injury, with 563 yards and a pair of touchdowns in 11 games.

Head coach Corey Mace explains what the two bring to the team off the field as well.

“I think veteran leadership and workmanship. Both those guys work their tails off,” Mace said. “Having (Schaffer-Baker) back at practice last week, the trash talk went up. The competitive spirit gets dialled up a little bit. They each have different intangibles that help the team. To throw a blanket on the both of them, they work their tails off.

“The more people you have in the building to be able to do that is great.”

The two could join the team ahead of a pivotal game with the B.C. Lions. The CFL’s West Division has tightened as Edmonton leads the way at 10-4 with the Riders (8-5), Lions (7-4), Winnipeg Blue Bombers (7-6) and Calgary Stampeders (6-8) all having a home playoff game still in their sights.

While those two pieces were back, the Riders were without wide receiver Dhel Duncan-Busby (illness) and linebacker Seyi Oladipo (ankle) during practice. Wide receivers Shemar Bridges (head) and Daniel Wiebe (head) were limited along with running back Quali Conley (wrist).

Kickoff for Saturday’s game against the Lions is set for 8:30 p.m. The Green Zone pregame show begins at 6:30 p.m.