Jayden Dalke is always pleased to lend a hand

Due to a hand injury, Jayden Dalke watched from afar when the Saskatchewan Roughriders visited the Ottawa REDBLACKS on July 3.

But there was still a distinct Dalke presence at TD Place.

Ryan and Shannon Dalke, who routinely travel to watch their 30-year-old son play in the CFL, were in the stands to cheer on the Roughriders.

“My parents had scheduled the Ottawa flight (before the injury),” explained the fifth-year Roughriders linebacker and special teams standout, who is to return to the lineup on Sunday against the visiting Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

“They didn’t know if I would be cleared to play. We all didn’t really know. I said, ‘I can’t really give you an answer until the week of the game.’

“They decided, ‘Well, that’s, that’s OK.’ ”

Off to Ottawa they went. The Dalkes, who reside in Leduc, Alta., were pleased to see Saskatchewan win 27-22 and improve its record to 3-1.

“The team came back and all of a sudden I saw (teammates Antoine Brooks Jr. and DaMarcus Fields). ’Toine said, ‘Oh yeah …. this is from your mom.’ He grabbed my head and kissed the top of my hat.”

Dalke missed three full games after injuring his left hand in the June 13 regular-season opener against the visiting B.C. Lions.

“Having to watch everybody leave for Ottawa, that one stung a little bit,” he said. “The doctors finally agreed that I’d be able to play, so I’m happy to be back.”

He wore a cast during Saturday’s walk-through at Mosaic Stadium. Padding and tape will be added in time for Sunday’s game.

As Dalke put it: “It’ll be all clubbed up.”

Anything to help the Club.

“I love all these guys,” he said. “I’ve been playing with some of them for five years. The coaching staff has really helped me along.

“At the end of the day, I’m still getting paid to play football, so it’s pretty awesome.”

A.J. = ACE BACKFIELD

As anticipated, running back A.J. Ouellette will return to the Roughriders’ active roster after missing 2¼ games with an ankle injury.

Quali Conley, who performed admirably in Ouellette’s absence, has rejoined the practice roster — which includes another ball carrier, the recently signed Star Thomas.

Thomas Bertrand-Hudon, the Roughriders’ other running back, is on the one-game injured list. He suffered a head injury in the Ottawa game.

“I don’t want to take anything away from Conley and Thomas, who did a really good job for us, but A.J. has been our guy here for the last three years,” Head Coach Corey Mace said.

“To have him out there, there’s a sense of comfortability, and he’s also a heck of a player. He helps us. We’re happy to have him back. Anytime he’s available, we’re always happy as a team.”

Trevor Harris shares those sentiments.

“He’s one of my all-time favourite teammates,” the Roughriders’ starting quarterback said of the two-time 1,000-yard rusher.

“He brings an attitude, a tenacity, a certain body language and a joy to the game. Even though sometimes he can be an angry little elf, he’s the man. He’s one of my best friends and somebody I’ll be close with until the end.

“Sharing the huddle with him is a pleasure. I’m grateful that I get to be his teammate. He definitely lifts up the team in terms of who he is and what he brings.”

What is the next option, though, if Ouellette is sidelined for any reason on Sunday?

“Quarterback draw with Trevor,” Mace said with a laugh.

SECONDARY SHUFFLE

Due to injuries, the Roughriders have yet to start the same boundary-side defensive halfback in successive games.

Game 1: Rolan Milligan Jr.

Game 2: JuJu Hughes.

Game 3: Jonathan Edouard.

Game 4: Nelson Lokombo.

Game 5: Edouard.

Milligan Jr. (shoulder) was a limited participant in practice this past week. Hughes (calf) has a long-term injury. Lokombo (ankle) returned for the game in Ottawa but is now on the one-game injured list.

On Sunday, Saskatchewan will start three National defensive backs for the third consecutive game. Edouard (Carleton Ravens), safety Jaxon Ford (Regina Rams) and cornerback Tevaughn Campbell (Regina) are U Sports products.