“I felt like I never left”: A.J. Ouellette was a full participant in Tuesday’s practice
A.J. is A-OK.
That was evident on Tuesday, when running back A.J. Ouellette was a full participant in the Saskatchewan Roughriders’ first practice of the week.
An East Division All-Star with the Toronto Argonauts each of the past two seasons, Ouellette is eligible to come off the six-game injured list in time for Saturday’s crucial CFL clash with the visiting B.C. Lions (5 p.m., TSN, CKRM).
“I felt good,” said Ouellette, who signed with Saskatchewan as a free agent in February.
“I felt smooth. I felt like I never left.”
A hip injury has sidelined Ouellette since Aug. 16, when he rushed 18 times for 77 yards against the Montreal Alouettes at Mosaic Stadium.
Over the past six games, the Roughriders have started Frankie Hickson (four times) and Ryquell Armstead (twice) at running back.
“We’ve got dogs everywhere,” Ouellette said with a smile.
“It sucks that there’s only one running back on the field at a time. To me, it’s the best position in football, so there should be 1,000 of us out there, but it is what it is.
“It doesn’t matter who’s out there. They’re going to get the job done.”
Armstead, who rushed for 207 yards in his debut with the Roughriders, hurt a shoulder the following week.
He was placed on the one-game injured list before Saskatchewan defeated the host Edmonton Elks 28-24 on Saturday to clinch a playoff spot.
The Roughriders can secure a home playoff game with a victory over B.C. this weekend.
It is too early to tell who will carry the ball for Saskatchewan in that contest. Ouellette, Hickson and, on a limited basis, Armstead all practised on Tuesday.
“It’s at that point of the season now where we’re getting some guys back,” Head Coach Corey Mace said. “It’s a good problem to have when you have options — and good ones.
“We’ll see how the week of practice plays out and make the decision at the end of the week.”
Yardage-wise, the Roughriders boast three of the CFL’s top 12 rushers — Armstead (fourth with 862 in 13 games), Ouellette (11th; 474 in seven games) and Hickson (12th; 438 in eight games).
Armstead spent his first 11 games of this season with the Ottawa REDBLACKS before joining Saskatchewan.
INJURY UPDATE
Offensive linemen Peter Godber and Zack Fry, both of whom are on the six-game injured list, took part in Tuesday’s session.
Godber, who has missed four games with an ankle injury, was a limited participant on Day 1. In his absence from the lineup, Logan Ferland has started at centre instead of at his customary right guard spot.
Fry — a full participant on Tuesday — made four consecutive starts at left guard before injuring an elbow. Noah Zerr has started at that position for the past four games.
Offensive lineman Jacob Brammer, who last week was placed on the one-game injured list due to a knee issue, was a full participant.
“It has been rough on the injury front at that position, but it’s that time of year when these guys are starting to come around — similar to the running back situation,” Mace said. “We’re going to have options here.
“We’ll always pick and choose what’s best for the team, but to have everybody out there and getting back into the groove, it’s really nice to see.”
Tuesday’s limited participants were Godber, Armstead, receiver KeeSean Johnson (thigh) and defensive lineman Habakkuk Baldonado (knee).
Ouellette, Brammer, Fry and receiver Mitch Picton (ankle) had the “full” designation.
Weak-side linebacker Adam Auclair (knee), strong-side linebacker C.J. Reavis (knee), defensive back Amari Henderson (illness) and defensive lineman Lake Korte-Moore (knee) did not practise.
NICE NUMBERS
Offensively, the 8-7-1 Roughriders lead the three playoff-bound West Division teams in points per game (25.5) and touchdowns (38).
That is a significant step up from last year’s 16-game figures of 20.1 points per game and 30 majors.
The performance of Trevor Harris is a major reason for the offensive upswing.
On Saturday, he became the first Roughrider to complete at least 75 per cent of his passes in three consecutive games (minimum 15 attempts).
He leads the CFL in quarterback efficiency rating (106.4) and is fourth in TD passes (18) despite missing 6½ games.
“We have a great system and Coach (Marc) Mueller calls it well,” Harris said. “Our receivers are great at getting to their spots and catching the football and making stuff happen and our O-line is protecting well.
“I’m just trying to do my one-12th and do the best I can.”
STERNS RETURNS
Slotback Jerreth Sterns made an impressive return to the lineup on Saturday after being a healthy scratch for six games.
“It was just a blessing to be back out there,” he said. “It was obviously a frustrating process, getting sat and everything, but whatever is best for the team, that’s the kind of guy I’ve been my whole career.
“I’m just glad we made the playoffs.”
Sterns made a reception on two of the Roughriders’ first three plays from scrimmage on Saturday.
Overall, he had four catches for 39 yards in addition to drawing a key pass-interference penalty late in the fourth quarter.
Sterns also returned three kickoffs for 75 yards. His 33-yarder gave the Roughriders excellent field position on what turned out to be a five-play, 65-yard TD drive.
“We pride ourselves on special teams around here,” he said. “Everybody’s got to play special teams. Nobody’s too good for it.
“(The 33-yard return) was a big play for us and everybody did a good job blocking it up. Coach (Kent) Maugeri did a good job of scheming it up as well.”
HONOUR ROLL
Roughriders defensive end Bryan Cox Jr. made the Honour Roll as the CFL’s top-rated defensive lineman for Week 18, according to Pro Football Focus.
Cox Jr. had the week’s second-best player grade (90.3). Winnipeg Blue Bombers defensive back Deatrick Nichols led the way at 92.3.
On Saturday, Cox Jr. was a key part of a Saskatchewan defensive front that helped to limit Edmonton to 30 rushing yards.
