Next man up: Riders lose injured Shaq Evans for 6-8

The Saskatchewan Roughriders’ receivers will have to step up to replace an injured star.

In Thursday’s 37-13 loss to the Montreal Alouettes, the team was dealt a blow when Shaq Evans suffered an ankle injury.

“It’s a big loss. It’s a big one emotionally as well,” Head Coach Craig Dickenson said following Tuesday’s practice at Mosaic Stadium.

“The good news is that it’s not for the whole season. He will be out for six to eight (weeks), and we hope when he gets back he is ready to roll.”

Evans had 10 catches for 185 yards in three games so far this season.

Now the Riders will need to find a replacement for their rematch with the Als on Saturday. Kickoff for the game at Mosaic Stadium is set for 5 p.m., and the Green Zone’s pre-game show begins at 3 p.m.

Dickenson said the team has good options to fill in for Evans, including Dieuly Aristilde Jr. and Tevin Jones

“It’s going to be a mix of those two (during the week), and if we don’t feel like those two can do it, we will change our ratio and have a third Canadian receiver,” Dickenson said.

Jones is in his first CFL season after spending six seasons bouncing around the NFL between the Houston Texans, Pittsburgh Steelers, Dallas Cowboys and Jacksonville Jaguars. Jones signed with the Riders in 2021 but a passport issue kept him from coming to the CFL.

“I didn’t get a chance to come to play. Things fell into place and I got a call from Jacksonville to go up there and play, so I did. After that, I came here and things fell into the right place. I’m just glad to be here and make the team better,” Jones said.

“If I do get the start, which I already know I will in my head, I’ve got to plan for the best and hope for the best. I’m going to do everything I can to make this team better and go out and make a full effort.”

Jones appeared in both pre-season games for the Riders, catching four passes for 41 yards.

“The pre-season helps a lot, because it gives me a routine. If I had never done that before, I wouldn’t know how I feel. This game is a lot faster than down south, so I’m just glad to have the opportunity to go out there and play,” Jones said.

Jones said he’s been able to rely on Duke Williams for some advice.

“(Williams told me to) just be mentally prepared for the game, because there’s a lot of new plays going in and it’s a new game in terms of Canadian football,” Jones said.

The other option to fill in for Evans is Aristilde Jr., who caught two passes for 32 yards and a touchdown during the pre-season.

If the team elects to go with three Canadian wide receivers, Mitch Picton could once again get the call.

Picton has been called into action for the past two weeks due to injuries. He’s caught seven passes for 93 yards and a touchdown this season.