Big offensive changes for Riders, Bombers stay the course

The Roughriders will be without some of their big names on offence as they look to clinch a home playoff game Saturday afternoon.

Head coach Chris Jones announced on Thursday that the club would play without centre Dan Clark as well as receiver Jordan Williams-Lambert in the matchup. The club remains without star receiver Naaman Roosevelt in the receiving corps as well.

Williams-Lambert and Clark were moved to the one-game injured list this week, while Roosevelt remains on the six-game after attempting to practice last weekend.

The Roughriders will shift left guard Brendon LaBatte to Clark’s spot and slide newcomer Philip Blake in at left guard just two days after his arrival in Regina. Blake was traded at the deadline with teammate Patrick Lavoie in exchange for Josh Stanford and a second round pick.

But Blake didn’t seem too concerned about being called into duty so soon.

“Football is football and they wouldn’t have brought me here if I didn’t play football,” the offensive lineman said simply.

Jones said both newcomers had a good day at practice which allowed him to be able to call them into action right away.

“If we didn’t feel confident that they’d be able to contribute we wouldn’t go that direction but we feel confident in our coaches staff and in them that we’ll get them prepared to play,” Jones said.

The Rider receiving corps gets Caleb Holley back this week as a wide receiver after he sat for six games with an injury. Canadian Devon Bailey moves into the slotback position with Kenny Shaw and Kyran Moore. Shaq Evans remains in his usual wide receiver position.

On defence, Mic’hael Brooks returns to the line just in time to help stop one of the league’s best running backs in Andrew Harris. On the flip side, Makana Henry has been moved to the one-game injured list.

Unlike the Roughriders, the surging Blue Bombers who have now won three straight after their bye week are making no changes to their lineup. However, receiver and former Roughrider Weston Dressler will be a game-time decision after getting tangled up with teammate Chris Humes during practice this week.

Game time is at noon.

The Green Zone pregame show begins at 10 a.m.

DEPTH CHARTS

Here's the Roughriders depth chart for tomorrow's game against Winnipeg.

Quite a few changes to note including the return of Caleb Holley and Mic'hael Brooks, Brendon LaBatte to centre and the Riders wasting no time putting Philip Blake to work. pic.twitter.com/weF69FWJNX

— Arielle Zerr (@arielle_zerr) October 12, 2018

#Bombers depth chart and roster ahead of tomorrow's tilt with the #Riders. No changes from last week, with Weston Dressler in his usual slotback position, though he'll be a game-time decision. #wfp pic.twitter.com/ZAr5PIEhsu

— Jeff Hamilton (@jeffkhamilton) October 12, 2018