Kayle Neis/Regina Leader-Post
Saskatchewan Roughriders quarterback Trevor Harris (7) runs a drill during practice inside Mosaic Stadium on Tuesday, October 21, 2025 in Regina.
Taylor Shire
Regina Leader-Post
After several backups received playing time last week, it appears the Saskatchewan Roughriders will deploy the majority of their starters this week.
In a 17-16 loss to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers last week where quarterback Trevor Harris and running back A.J. Ouellette were both spectators, both are expected to return to starting duty on Saturday (5 p.m., TSN) in Week 21 of the CFL season as the Roughriders (12-5) will host the B.C. Lions (10-7).
Since Saskatchewan clinched first place in the West Division two weeks ago, the Green and White gained the luxury to rest their starters last week against Winnipeg and can do so again this week against B.C., although it appears many of them will suit up on Saturday.
“We’ve got a plan in place,” said Roughriders head coach Corey Mace when asked how long the starters will play against B.C. “And similar to last week, we identified what we want to do and we stuck to it.
“So we’ve got a different one set in place this week and we’ll stick to that.”
However, Mace wouldn’t say what the exact plan would be.
“I’ll tell you right after the game,” he smirked.
And while it appears Harris will get the start at quarterback on Saturday, it’s not clear how long he will remain in the game. The same goes for Ouellette and other veterans who sat out last week including offensive linemen Jermarcus Hardrick and Logan Ferland, receivers Samuel Emilus and Kian Schaffer-Baker and defensive tackle Micah Johnson.
“Watching from the couch took him back to last year and made me want to throw up, so glad we’re not doing that,” said Ouellette, who was limited to eight games in 2024. “I want to go out there and play the best ball we can and show the fans what to expect in the playoffs.”
“You can’t mimic live reps,” added Mace. “We think it’s crucial for our guys to be able to go out there and do that, but at the same time, you’ve got to make sure that you’re putting the vision on for the future, but also trying to maintain the balance of having the right guys on the roster to still go win a game.”
While most of the healthy veterans are expected to play Saturday, it appears the Roughriders will be resting some of their injured players for another week. Those players include receivers KeeSean Johnson and Dohnte Meyers, short-yardage quarterback Tommy Stevens and halfback Rolan Milligan, who are all on track to play return for the West final on Nov. 8, according to Mace.
“That’s part of the strategy of being smart with how we’re going to go ahead and conduct business,” he said. “Some of those guys, we had to gear up to make sure that they’re ready and going to be available for that week of practice leading into the West final.
“They’re all on track to do that, which is great.”
For Harris, while he says it was tough to be a spectator last week, he also understood the decision.
“You have a role every week and whatever the role the team asks you to play, you make sure you do it to the best of your ability,” said Harris. “And so that was where my mindset went as soon as he told me that I wasn’t playing.
“Obviously (I was) disappointed but I get it; I understand.
“It takes me back to like 2014, 2016; times where I haven’t been playing. It’s not too fun, but at the same time, there’s always something to learn.“There’s always a lesson to learn. And so, if you close your eyes and say I can’t wait until this week’s over with, you might miss the lesson that God’s trying to show you, or a lesson that the game of football can teach you that week.
“And so, I had my eyes open, my ears open, and making sure that I was ready for whatever came and what I could learn from last week.”
This week, the 39-year-old pivot wants to ensure he’s playing as crisp as he can heading into the West final, which follows a bye week next week as the Roughriders await their opponent in the divisional final.
Get a win and make sure we’re in a great rhythm,” Harris said on what he wants to accomplish this week. “Come out and send a message to ourselves; to really anybody that watches what type of team we are.
“But that’s no different than any other week to me. Every team should be out to send a message every week of who they are and what they want to be.”
Roughriders add receiver
The Roughriders signed American receiver Siaosi Mariner to the roster on Tuesday.
The 6-foot-2, 190-pounder suited up for the UFL’s Michigan Panthers this season, leading the league with 527 receiving yards in 10 games after recording 346 yards in 2024.
Prior to going to the UFL, the 28-year-old played for the Ottawa Redblacks from 2022-23, where he had 18 receptions for 219 yards and a touchdown in nine starts.
“We’re giving some guys a little bit of extra rest,” said Mace. “Just trying to stay off of everybody’s leg as much as possible throughout the week.
“And it’s not often that you’re going to find guys who’ve had experience in this league already. He went down to the UFL recently and he led the league in receiving.
“I remember him from his time in Ottawa; good receiver, big target, but somebody who can come in and help us. You don’t have to explain everything.”
Injury report
The Roughriders were without a few players as the team returned to practice on Tuesday.
While receivers Johnson (knee) and Meyers (ankle) continued to sit out, running back Mario Anderson (knee) also didn’t participate in the workout along with defensive back DaMarcus Fields (arm) and receiver Joe Robustelli (knee).
Meanwhile, defensive end Malik Carney (shoulder), linebacker Jameer Thurman (back) and kicker Brett Lauther (back) were limited while safety Nelson Lokombo (ankle) was a full participant.
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