Saskatchewan Roughriders return to practice following Saturday’s roster cuts

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The Saskatchewan Roughriders have assembled their roster for the 2024 CFL season.

And on Monday, the Riders returned to the field at Mosaic Stadium for Day 1 of practice following Saturday’s roster cuts, which included the team releasing quarterback Mason Fine.

“That was probably the No. 1 position we looked at with a magnifying glass so to speak,” Riders head coach Corey Mace told reporters. “We felt we made the right decision.

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“Those conversations are never easy but it’s necessary in what we do.”

With the Riders electing to move on from Fine — who played 32 games for the team since signing in 2020 — Shea Patterson has won the backup QB spot behind starter Trevor Harris.

“Just thankful for the opportunity,” said the 6-foot-2, 202-pound Patterson. “A lot of hard work went into it.”

After putting together an impressive camp, Mace felt Patterson earned the No. 2 spot.

“We kind of allowed him to do a little bit more and gave him more opportunity and he ran away with that,” said Mace. “He does have the ability to create from the quarterback position and I think that’s important to have on the roster.

“Just his overall understanding of the playbook and his ability to make the throws and make the reads and also having that backup in there if things hit the fan, he can make things happen still.”

The 27-year-old Patterson — who originally signed with the team during the 2023 off-season — dressed for 13 games last season. He carried the ball 15 times, primarily as the short-yardage QB, while throwing the ball six times.

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Prior to joining the Riders, Patterson played five games with the Montreal Alouettes in 2021 — also as a backup to Harris — before being the No. 1 pick in the USFL Draft in 2022.

Now, he’s ready for an expanded role in Saskatchewan, even if it’s as a backup to Harris again.

“I’m always going to be ready whenever my number is called,” said Patterson. “My role is to make sure he’s ready to play and to push him every single week.

“Whether you’re the two, three or four, you always want to push the next guy that’s ahead of you because that’ll make them that much better.”

With Patterson set to handle short-yardage duties in 2024, the Riders elected to cut veteran Antonio Pipkin as well, allowing the club to keep rookie Jack Coan on the active roster as the No. 3 quarterback.

“We feel very comfortable with Jack and his progression as he develops here as a quarterback on the team,” said Mace. “He’s got a bright future.”

After playing college football at Wisconsin and Norte Dame, the 25-year-old Coan had a brief stint with the NFL’s Indianapolis Colts before playing with the XFL’s San Antonio Brahmas in 2023.

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In March, he signed with the Roughriders and just a few months later, he earned an active roster spot.

“I’m just super excited to be part of this group,” said the 6-foot-3, 220-pound Coan. “It’s a great locker room of guys.

“And I’m just honoured to be part of such a historic and great fan base and organization.”

Like Patterson, Coan understands his role as a depth player, which is to continue to progress with the reps he does get until an opportunity presents itself.

“The end goal is to eventually become a starter here one day,” said Coan. “But for right now my role is to be a backup and do everything I can to support Trevor and also prepare myself.

“I know whenever my number is called upon, I’m going to be ready to go.”

Riders release Lenius

The Roughriders also released veteran Canadian receiver Brayden Lenius on Saturday.

The team’s second-round pick in 2019 had dressed for 35 games over four seasons with the Green and White, racking up 659 yards on 58 catches.

He missed the first half of last season with a lacerated kidney before making his return in Week 8. However, he then suffered a foot injury in his first game back, which kept him out the rest of the season.

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This year, the 27-year-old couldn’t participate in training camp due to injury, which led to his release.

“Tough one,” said Mace. “He just didn’t quite get back in his rehab.

“Tough conversation but again it’s just part of the business and we all know that.”

And while Lenius has been let go, Mace said they will still keep tabs on him during his recovery process, meaning there’s a chance he could be back eventually.

“I think so,” said Mace. “The main thing for him is he’s got to focus on getting his rehab back where it needs to be but certainly if he’s getting back to full strength, we’ll definitely take a peek at him.”

Time change

Saturday’s season-opening game in Edmonton against the Elks, originally scheduled for 5 p.m., has been moved to 2 p.m. to accommodate the Stanley Cup Finals as Game 1 between the Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers begins at 6 p.m.

tshire@postmedia.com

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