The Saskatchewan Roughriders will be without several important players as they look to bounce back against the Edmonton Elks on Saturday.
Following Thursday’s closed practice, the green and white released their injury report ahead of their Week 9 matchup at Commonwealth Stadium.
Among the players ruled out are running back AJ Ouellette and defensive back Rolan Milligan Jr.
Ouellette out
Ouellette has already missed two games this season. Earlier this week, Roughriders head coach Corey Mace said the team would evaluate the running back’s knee injury on a week-to-week basis.
With Ouellette unavailable, Quali Conley is expected to take over as Saskatchewan’s starting running back.
In the two games Ouellette missed earlier this season, Conley recorded 107 rushing yards and a touchdown.
Milligan Jr. continues injury-plagued season
It has been a challenging start to the 2026 campaign for Milligan Jr.
The former CFL Most Outstanding Defensive Player of the Year suffered a shoulder injury in Week 1 and missed several games before returning to the lineup last week against Edmonton.
However, the defensive back is now dealing with a knee injury and will once again be sidelined.
National defensive back Nelson Lokombo will also remain out of the lineup with an ankle injury. The former USask Huskie has been unavailable since Week 5 and has appeared in just two games this season.
Offensive line takes a hit
The Roughriders will also be without guard Zack Fry, who is dealing with a knee injury.
The 25-year-old Canadian has started all six games for Saskatchewan this season. With another Canadian player unavailable, the Riders may need to make adjustments to their roster ratio ahead of Saturday’s contest.
Wide receiver Samuel Emilus has been listed as questionable with a foot injury. Emilus did not practice at the start of the week and has been dealing with a lower-body injury for much of the season.
Despite the injury concerns, Emilus has played in all six games for Saskatchewan in 2026, recording 31 receptions for 448 receiving yards and five touchdowns.
Saturday’s game carries division implications
Although it is only the beginning of August, Saturday’s matchup could have significant playoff implications later in the season.
Edmonton’s win over Saskatchewan last week at Mosaic Stadium gave the Elks an early advantage in the season series. Another victory would secure the tiebreaker between the two teams.
A win would also move Edmonton six points ahead of Saskatchewan in the West Division standings.
The Elks could receive additional home-field support, as the team announced it may open the upper deck at Commonwealth Stadium if attendance reaches 27,000 fans.
Elks looking to continue rejuvenation
Led by quarterback Cody Fajardo and running back Justin Rankin, Edmonton enters the weekend tied with the Montreal Alouettes for the best record in the CFL.
The Elks are looking to make the playoffs for the first time since 2019, while the Roughriders will be aiming to even the season series and reclaim momentum after last week’s loss.