Armstead is back, joins Ouellette in Riders backfield for West semifinal

The Saskatchewan Roughriders will feature a potent one-two punch out of the backfield for the CFL West semifinal.

Both running back AJ Ouellette and Ryquell Armstead will suit up for the Green and White as the Riders host the B.C. Lions. Kickoff for the game is set for 4:30 p.m. on Saturday in Regina.

“I’m very excited to get out there and get an opportunity to play with my guys and just do my one-twelfth. Our goal is to win and we’re going to do that by any means,” Armstead said.

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Ouellette was one of the biggest free agent signings by the Riders coming into the season after four successful years with the Toronto Argonauts which included winning the 2022 Grey Cup.

But the rusher has been limited to just eight games of action as a hip injury has been nagging him throughout most of the season. He has 550 yards and three touchdowns in those contests.

With Ouellette on the sidelines and the Riders mired in a seven-game winless streak, enter Armstead  — who the Ottawa Redblacks had cut despite being the CFL’s fourth-leading rusher at the time.

Armstead arrived on a Monday in September and then suited up for the team that Friday — a 37-29 win over the Calgary Stampeders, where the rusher had 207 yards on the ground.

But Armstead suffered a shoulder injury the next week that had kept him out since then.

Now the two will get a chance to bring their own styles to what the Riders’ hope to be a potent rushing attack in the CFL playoffs.

“AJ is tough to bring down any given day — when the weather gets colder I find he likes that kind of party,” Mace said.

“Q (Armstead) is an explosive back when the ball is in his hands. I don’t want to say it’s a thunder and lightning kind of deal, but they have both shown to be excellent players in this league and we are lucky to have them both.”

Ouellette said having both of the backs on the roster allows them to remain fresh throughout the game.

“Whoever is a little winded, we can just get the next guy in there,” Ouellette said.

“Both of us are smart football players and know the offence and we can run people over or around them. If you’re not 100 per cent, get out and let the next guy get in.”

Armstead said they both bring a lot of intelligence to the team.

“AJ is a very powerful and physical back and I am a powerful and physical back and we can catch and run. Just to be able to know when you’re tired to go and get spelled, that’s going to make everything better,” Armstead said.

Some of the other roster moves for the game involved bringing centre Peter Godber back but as the sixth offensive lineman. Logan Ferland, who was named the west division Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman, will make a seventh start at centre.

(Saskatchewan Roughriders/submitted)

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