Dylan Djete keeps stacking milestones.
Djete, the Saskatchewan Roughriders’ second-round selection in the 2026 CFL Canadian Draft, made his professional football debut on Saturday in a 28-26 victory over the host Edmonton Elks.
Now he is poised to make his first start — on Friday against the Ottawa REDBLACKS (7 p.m., Mosaic Stadium). Tickets are AVAILABLE HERE.
“I feel like this is really going to be the milestone,” Djete said on Thursday. “When I get my first catch and I make people miss and just do what I do, that’s going to be the real milestone … my first touchdown and everything.
“So hopefully it’s this game.”
Djete was a late activation for last week’s contest after veteran receiver Samuel Emilus, who was listed as a game-time decision due to a foot injury, was scratched.
Daniel Wiebe moved into a starting role in place of Emilus. Djete, who had been on the six-game injured list, was activated as the sixth receiver.
“That whole week I came off the injury list, they told me, ‘Be ready. We don’t know what’s going to happen with Sam,’ ” Djete said. “I had to be in the mindset of, ‘I’m going to play,’ even though I’m not taking the reps (in practice).’ The whole week, I was preparing myself mentally and physically for ‘maybe I will play.’
“Sometimes it’s hard to do the extra work when you’re not certain of the outcome, but I just kept on course. An hour before the game, they told me, ‘Suit up.’ I was like, ‘OK.’ ”
Djete’s responsibilities were expanded after Kian Schaffer-Baker suffered a knee injury while making a catch with four minutes remaining in the third quarter. Just like that, Djete was taking regular reps on offence.
Schaffer-Baker and Emilus were placed on the six-game injured list on Thursday.
KeeSean Johnson and Dhel Duncan-Busby are the only opening-night starting receivers who will be in the lineup on Friday. They will be joined by Djete, Johnny Johnson III (making his fifth consecutive start) and D’Sean Mimbs (second career start).
The start will be the first for Djete since Nov. 27, when the 22-year-old product of Levis, Quebec made a 46-yard catch in his final game at Alabama State.
“Having a dream to play in the CFL and at the pro level, to have a start this early in my career, it means everything,” the Roughriders’ No. 80 said.
“I’m glad that I prepared myself and I stayed ready for that opportunity.
“For the next few weeks, I’m taking the opportunity to put out a statement that I belong there. I doesn’t matter what I age I am — whether I’m a rookie or not. I’ve played football my whole life.
“This, to me, is just a statement that I’m ready to be there.”
Better yet, the first start will also constitute his home-field debut.
“It’s going to be amazing,” he said with a smile. “I’m not going to lie.
“When you’re on the football field, you kind of have a bubble, so you don’t hear the crowd. I had the opportunity to hear the crowd from the sideline while I was hurt. I just hope the fans are going to show up like they do every time. I appreciate the love from the Riders fans.”
FULL NELSON
Nelson Lokombo’s full range of talents has been on display this season.
On Friday, he will start at a third different position — field-side cornerback — for the 2026 Roughriders.
The former University of Saskatchewan Huskies standout’s previous starts this season had been at safety (June 13 versus the visiting B.C. Lions) and boundary halfback (July 3 at Ottawa).
“I guess ‘defensive back’ is probably my natural position,” Lokombo said. “Wherever you want me at, I can play.
“I’ve played everywhere my entire life, so I’m used to moving around and adapting that way.”
Lokombo, who missed the past three games with an ankle injury, takes over for a fellow Canadian, Tevaughn Campbell, at cornerback.
Campbell, an All-CFLer last season, was placed on the Roughriders’ ever-expanding six-game injured list on Thursday.
“To have Nelly available for us, certainly at this time, is extremely helpful,” Head Coach Corey Mace said. “Ultimately, we’re looking for him to go out there and execute and get his feet under him again.”
Lokombo, who since 2022 has played in 54 regular-season games as a Roughrider, was the starting safety for most of 2024 and 2025. He had also started at halfback and on the corner in previous seasons.
“I kind of expect myself to be able to do that,” he said. “I’m glad that the coaching staff trusts me to be able to go out there and fill in at those positions.
“I’m excited to play wherever it is.”
HISTORY LESSON FROM HARRIS
With an 0-7 Ottawa team providing the opposition on Friday, the Roughriders do not have to be reminded of the dangers that accompany a matchup with a winless club.
“Rewind two years,” quarterback Trevor Harris said. “The 5-and-2 Saskatchewan Roughriders were playing the 0-and-7 Edmonton Elks. How’d that work out?”
Edmonton posted its first win of the season, by a 42-31 count, on Aug. 3, 2024 at Mosaic Stadium.
“In high school when you play an 0-and-7 team, it’s a little bit different,” Harris said. “This is professional football. These guys are scratching and clawing.
“They pushed Winnipeg to the limit and Montreal to the limit very, very recently. We know what type of club these guys are. We know what type of coaching, intensity and leadership they have over there. They have guys who were in this locker room last year.”
WELCOME BACK, JAKE
Jake Maier is to make his eighth consecutive start at quarterback for the REDBLACKS. He started twice last year with Saskatchewan after spending his first four CFL seasons with the Calgary Stampeders.
“I love the guy,” Harris said. “He has quickly become one of my better friends. I talk to Jake almost every week.
“With quarterbacking in this league, you become a little bit of a fraternity. You get close with the guys you work with, because you talk a lot of ball.
“He’s an intelligent guy — similar in mold to me in terms of the way he plays the game. He likes to take what the defence gives him and to find opportunities for his shots.
“Not only that, he’s a very funny guy. He does a tremendous job with the media. I feel like he’s one of the best ones in the league at doing that. He’s an adult and he takes accountability. But he’s a clown behind closed doors.
“He’s a funny dude and a really fun guy to work with. We quickly developed an appreciation for one another. When I watch CFL football, it’s easy to root for Jake, especially since he plays in the East now.”