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The Saskatchewan Roughriders returned to practice on Tuesday but were missing some key players on the field.
Running back A.J. Ouellette, who left the 40-37 victory over the Calgary Stampeders at the end of the third quarter, was not on the practice field as the team prepares for a game against the Toronto Argonauts on Friday.
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While the game will be played at Mosaic Stadium, Saskatchewan will technically be the away team as this will count as one of the Argos’ home games due to BMO Field being in use for the FIFA World Cup. Kickoff for the game is set for 7 p.m. The Green Zone pregame show begins at 5 p.m.
“It’s still trending. I gave him a day but we will see how it feels tomorrow,” Riders head coach Corey Mace said. “With A.J., we can roll that thing all the way to the game. He’s done it long enough.”
In his place, veteran Thomas Bertrand-Hudon and CFL rookie Quali Conley were taking reps with the starters.
It wasn’t good news for defensive back Juju Hughes as Mace admitted he will be out a long time with what he described as a lower-body injury.
“Tough the way the cookie crumbles but that’s football unfortunately,” Mace said. “The kid was having a good game, great camp and great player. Just wish him well.”
Riders wide receiver KeeSean Johnson (knee) was limited while pass-catcher Dhel Duncan-Busby (shoulder) did not participate. James Vaughters (knee) also did not participate.
With Rolan Milligan Jr. (shoulder) on the six-game injured list and starting safety Nelson Lokombo (ankle) still not practising, defensive back Jonathan Edouard was with the starters but James Burgess Jr. ran onto the field after practice started as he rejoined the club. He was one of the team’s final cuts following training camp.
“That was one of those tough decisions,” Mace said. “We thought he had a good camp. He touched the ball a bunch of times in practice and got (an interception) in pre-season as well. It was one of those hard conversations — you just tell him to stay in shape because you never know.”
Burgess admitted that call telling him he had been cut was a tough one to have.
“Knowing you gave it your all and everything you got but everything happens for a reason,” Burgess said. “They always told me to stay ready and stay in shape because you never know when they will call you again.”
The Birmingham, Ala. athlete got the call on Sunday from the Riders.
“They were like, ‘How do you feel about coming back,’ and I told them it would be an honour,” Burgess said.
“I didn’t expect to come back so soon. They told me they were going to book the flight that day. I had to wash clothes and all that. It was a crazy turnaround.”
He flew from Birmingham to Dallas and then into Calgary. He would go from there to Regina on Tuesday morning. He landed in Regina at 10:10 a.m. and was on the field around 11 a.m.
“It felt good to be out there. Everything felt second nature,” Burgess said.
If he finds his way onto the depth chart for Friday’s game, he believes he’s ready to go.
“I’m ready whenever. I’m ready to get out there — last minute doesn’t matter. I’m ready to get out there.”
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