The Roughriders unveiled some tough injury news for a pair of defensive linemen as the team gets set to visit the B.C. Lions on Saturday
When the Riders returned to practice on Tuesday, head coach Corey Mace told reporters both players will be out for an extended period of time with ACL injuries.
“Those ones were tough ones for us,” said Mace. “They’re both probably looking long term unfortunately.
“So, it’s tough for those guys; tough for the team.”
With Albright and Dabire heading to the six-game injured list, the Riders will need to replace them in the lineup this week when Saskatchewan (4-0) visits the B.C. Lions (4-1) on Saturday night in Vancouver (5 p.m., TSN).
Including the injured duo, the Riders dressed nine defensive linemen last game against Toronto with Micah Johnson, Anthony Lanier II, Malik Carney Bryan Cox Jr., Lake Korte-Moore, Habakkuk Baldonado and Nicholas Dheilly as the others.
That leaves two remaining players in Miles Brown (one-game injured list) and Caleb Sanders (practice roster) to fill the void this week.
Saskatchewan might also consider free agency to add to their depth in the coming days.
“We kind of have some depth at the position and guys who can swing a couple spots for us,” said Mace. “But we’ll always be open (to free agency) if there’s something that jumps out to us to bring in.
“We’re certainly looking at that.”
Flip side
On the other side of the ball, the Riders got good news as left tackle Trevor Reid’s injury isn’t serious.
Reid went down against the Argos and missed a portion of the game as Logan Ferland filled the void at left tackle with Zack Fry coming in to occupy Ferland’s right guard spot.
Mace called it a “cramping” issue for Reid, who tried to get back into the game, before the cramping persisted.
Reid practised fully on Tuesday and appears to be no worse for wear.
“He was just dealing with some cramping and stuff out there,” said Mace. “It definitely was a breath of fresh air.”
Bane’s back
Receiver Shawn Bane Jr. was also back at practice on Tuesday after missing last week’s game due to personal reasons. Bane posted on his Instagram account that he was mourning the death of his sister.
Injury report
At Tuesday’s practice, Carney (knee) and Cox (back) were limited. Dheilly (shoulder) did not participate.
Defensive back Rolan Milligan Jr. (shoulder), linebacker Adam Auclair (shoulder) and running back Thomas Bertrand-Hudon (head) were also all limited participants while receiver Dhel Duncan-Busby (hand) and offensive lineman Noah Zerr (hand), who are both on the six-game injured list, both practised for the first time this season.
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