The Saskatchewan Roughriders’ injury report was lengthy when it was released following Thursday’s first practice of the week.
Fifteen players didn’t practice and five others were limited. Ten of the 15 players who didn’t practice were out due to illness, which head coach Craig Dickenson said was pretty easy to guess what the illness was, considering Green and White President and C-E-O Craig Reynolds said that the team’s number of people in the C-F-L’s COVID protocol was at 11…..
Of the 10, both Cody Fajardo and Mason Fine weren’t on the practice field Thursday, leaving Jake Dolegala as the lone quarterback. Dickenson did some dancing on the topic of who starts against Toronto, saying he expects Dolegala would start, only to backtrack and say it was Dolegala Thursday because he was the only quarterback out there, adding it remains to be seen which quarterbacks will be practicing Friday.
Otherwise, the big news from Thursday is that the Riders and Argonauts will complete their back-to-back series a day later than originally planned. The Roughriders announced Thursday the return engagement will be played Sunday night at Mosaic Stadium rather than Saturday as originally scheduled. Reynolds said it was really important for the game to not be delayed too long in being held…..
The Argos provided a sign earlier Thursday the game wouldn’t go ahead as originally scheduled when they cancelled their practice and added it wasn’t for COVID-related reasons. Those with tickets for Saturday will automatically have their tickets moved to Sunday with no action required on the part of the ticketholder.
Meanwhile, Saskatchewan announced the addition of three Canadians to the defensive side of the ball Thursday, all of whom were at practice. Defensive lineman Alain Cimankinda was at the Green and White’s rookie camp in Saskatoon back in May, defensive back Vincent Dethier played in both Riders’ exhibition games this year after attending training camp while linebacker Jared Beeksma comes to Saskatchewan after playing in both of Hamilton’s pre-season games and spending time on the Tiger-Cats’ practice roster. Following is the news release from the Riders…..
DATE: July 21, 2022
RELEASE TIME: IMMEDIATELY
RELEASE: SR22-108
RIDERS ADD THREE CANADIANS TO DEFENCE
The Saskatchewan Roughriders have signed National defensive lineman Alain Cimankinda, National defensive back Vincent Dethier and National linebacker Jared Beeksma.
Cimankinda (6’1-280) attended rookie camp with the Green and White in 2022 and spent the 2021 season on the Club’s practice roster. The Ottawa native was selected by the Roughriders in the 4th round, 35th overall, of the 2021 CFL Draft.
Collegiately, Cimankinda spent three seasons (2017-20) with the Guelph Gryphons, making 81 total tackles, 27 tackles for loss, 22.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery in 30 games. In 2019, he was named a Second-Team OUA All-Star. Prior to attending Guelph, he spent one season (2016-17) at New Mexico Military Institute, making 30 tackles, five tackles for loss, two sacks, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.
Dethier (5’11–196lbs) returns to the Riders after attending 2022 Training Camp with the Club. The Boisbriand native played in the preseason game against Winnipeg and recorded two defensive tackles.
The 26-year-old was drafted by the Roughriders in the fifth round, 44th overall, of the 2020 CFL Draft. He spent the 2021 season on the injured list recovering from a torn ACL.
Dethier played four collegiate seasons (2016-20) at McGill University. In 34 games, the former Redbird recorded 104.5 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, four quarterback sacks, four interceptions, eight knockdowns, six fumble recoveries and two forced fumbles.
Beeksma (6’2-220) was drafted by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the fifth round, 46th overall, of the 2022 CFL Draft and spent time on the team’s practice roster. The Cambridge native saw action in both of Hamilton’s preseason games and earned two defensive tackles.
The 24-year-old played four seasons (2017-21) at the University of Guelph. The former Gryphon recorded 77 solo tackles, three sacks, one fumble recovery, three interceptions and six pass breakups in 39 games.
