Saskatchewan Roughriders safety Jayden Dalke at training camp on May 29, 2023. (Britton Gray/980 CJME)

By CKOM News

LET'S GO RIDERS!!!

Injury-riddled Riders ready to rumble with Elks

Jul 6, 2023 | 6:00 AM

Logan Bandy is once again being called upon to anchor the Saskatchewan Roughriders’ offensive line.

The 24-year-old, who had to play guard for most of the Riders’ 29-26 win over the Calgary Stampeders due to an injury to Jerald Hawkins, will start at centre for the injured Peter Godber (hand) on Thursday. Kickoff for the game against the Edmonton Elks at Mosaic Stadium is set for 7 p.m.

“It feels good,” the Calgary product said. “It sucks when guys get injured, and we never want to see that, but it’s pro football. We have a really great roster and we’re able to fill in throughout the roster.

“To be able to step up and play, it’s really exciting.”

This will be the first start for Bandy in 2023, but his services were called upon quite a bit last season. Centre Dan Clark suffered a broken leg in Week 2 against the Elks in 2022, making way for Bandy to start the next 11 games at the position.

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“Playing experience is super important. It’s huge to go into a game and know you’ve done it before,” Bandy said. “It takes a big load off the back, for sure.”

The centre spot isn’t the only moving part of the Riders’ offensive line this week.

Brandon Council will start at left tackle, with Jerald Hawkins undergoing surgery on his quad and expected to be out long-term. The 26-year-old started the first two games of the season for the Riders, with Hawkins at home due to personal issues.

With all the moving parts, Riders head coach Craig Dickenson said he’s happy with how well the group has been able to handle it.

“It’s a ragtag bunch, but they sure enjoy playing together,” Dickenson said. “They like being around each other. It’s a good group and there’s good chemistry there. It’s a good bunch.”

The wide receiver group will also see another change, with Mitch Picton getting his first start of 2023. He will come in for slotback Jake Wieneke, who was added to the six-game injured list with a knee injury. Wieneke joins Derel Walker (knee), Brayden Lenius (back), Kian Schaffer-Baker (knee), and Juwan Brescacin (shoulder) on the injured list.

On defence, there is good news with the biggest change being the addition of safety Jayden Dalke back into the lineup. Dalke suffered a back injury in the Week 2 loss to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and missed the game against the Stamps.

“Just went through the treatment process and started feeling exponentially better,” Dalke said. “It’s good to get back.”

The defence was a major part of the Riders’ Week 1 win over the Elks, whose fourth-quarter goal-line stand propelled the Green and White to the win.

A big reason for the team’s success was the ability to contain Elks quarterback Taylor Cornelius, who threw for 202 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions, while only rushing for 14 yards on one carry.

“It’s a new mentality week to week. They have a different-looking team and we have a different-looking team,” Dalke said. “We’re just planning on playing our game.

“We feel very confident and want to defend our home.”

Notes: The Riders have added to their offensive line depth Wednesday, signing national offensive lineman Jakub Szott. The McMaster product was with the Bombers and dressed for the first three games of the 2023 season. The 24-year-old was selected by the Ottawa Redblacks in the fourth round of the 2020 CFL Draft. He started 12 games at left guard for Ottawa in 2021 and split the 2022 season on the Ottawa and Montreal Alouettes practice rosters.