Riders move kicker Alex Hale to practice roster, Dawson Hodge to start in Winnipeg

“Whether it’s kicker or any other position, I’m going to look to do what’s best for the team. The answer is yes (we would make a change) but that’s not just for the kicker, that’s for everyone,” Mace said.

Hodge, a Coquitlam, B.C., product, handled both kicking and punting for Wilfrid Laurier, making 51 of 76 career field goal attempts.

The 24-year-old kicker attended training camp with the Calgary Stampeders this year. He was with the Riders and Toronto Argonauts in 2025, appearing in one pre-season game for Saskatchewan and converting his lone 31-yard field goal attempt.

Also coming onto the roster on Saturday will be defensive end Habakkuk Baldonado. The 27-year-old product of Rome, Italy, was a member of the Roughriders from 2023 to 2025 before signing with the Ottawa Redblacks as a free agent in February. He played eight games with Ottawa, registering eight defensive tackles, including two for a loss, and two sacks.

Over three seasons with Saskatchewan, Baldonado had 38 tackles (five for a loss), eight sacks, a forced fumble and a pass knockdown in 36 games. He was selected by the Roughriders in the second round (12th overall) of the CFL’s 2023 Global Draft. He also recorded a sack in the team’s 2025 Grey Cup win.

The only other move for the Riders this week comes in the receivers group, as Shemar Bridges comes onto the roster in place of Daniel Wiebe.

Wiebe had 90 yards on two catches in the team’s 32-26 Labour Day Classic win over the Bombers, but didn’t practice this week due to a head injury.

Bridges, who was signed on Aug. 25, appeared in a game that week, where he made two catches for 11 yards. The former 2024 CFL East Division nominee for Most Outstanding Rookie has been on the practice roster for the past couple weeks.

Running back A.J. Ouellette (knee) was put onto the one-game injured list, but appears to be closer to returning. He was injured in Week 8 against the Edmonton Elks and has missed six games with the injury. He has recently been logging full practices with the team.

“He’s definitely looking a lot like himself, which is awesome to see,” Mace said.

Defensive tackle Devin Adams was taken off the roster to help the team comply with the league’s ratio rules.

Kickoff for the game is set for 2 p.m.

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by CJME

Riders move kicker Alex Hale to practice roster, Dawson Hodge to start in Winnipeg

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