QB Trevor Harris, several starters get rest at practice after Riders clinch first place

Despite telling reporters after Friday’s win over Toronto he would “fight” coaches over taking rest, Roughriders’ quarterback Trevor Harris was not in a uniform Monday when the team returned to practice after clinching first place in the division.

“Like we planned, we squared up,” head coach Corey Mace joked with reporters after practice. “As you can figure, I [came] out clean.”

“No, it was a good conversation. We all know [Trevor], he never wants to take time away,” he added.

With a 27-19 win Friday, Saskatchewan clinched the top spot in the West Division and the opportunity to host the division final at Mosaic Stadium Nov. 8.

Harris was present at practice Monday amongst teammates in a hoodie and toque instead of his usual practice attire.

In his place, back-up Jake Maier took first team reps with an offense which was missing several other starters, including A.J. Ouellette, KeeSean Johnson and Dohnte Meyers.

Meyers missed last week’s game with an injury while Johnson left the game favouring his leg in the first quarter and did not return.

“It’s player specific,” Mace said when asked if the days off were load management or something else. “It may be rest for a game, but some guys still have to get out here and get some work in.”

Mace says there is a plan in place for the final two games of the regular season against Winnipeg and B.C. to ensure players are sharp for the playoffs.

“It’s not necessarily, ‘you’re not playing,” he explained. “It’s just maybe I don’t know how much.”

Saskatchewan’s next test is against the Bombers Friday in Winnipeg.

Mace stopped short of laying out the entire roster make-up and gameplan so early in the week.

Final roster decisions for Friday night’s game are expected to be announced Thursday morning.

‘Show you belong’

While it is unsure which Riders will be in the starting lineup Friday, or for how long, back-ups are preparing for the opportunity to get on the field.

Most notably, Maier expects a larger role given the team’s playoff situation.

“It’s been a great year for us,” the quarterback said. “To be in the position we are now grants some opportunities for guys on our team to show who they are.”

Maier has appeared in three games already this season, including a start in Week 4 win against the Lions.

In those three appearances, he is 13/23 for 170 yards and has thrown a touchdown pass.

The pivot says not much is changing in terms of his preparation for Friday, but he is ready to go when his number is called.

“[I’m] more vocal in the huddle and on the field, making sure [I’m] communicating with the group as much as you can,” Maier said. “Myself, Tommy [Stevens], Jack [Coan] and Trevor, we’re in there together as much as we can. Talking things out, formulating the things we need to do to succeed.”

Having already seen game action this year, Maier says he is confident in himself to lead the offense.

“[I’ve] done it with this group and with this team,” he said. “Getting the monkey off the back a little bit early on felt good. But we’re going to show up Friday night with purpose and that purpose is to get better and compete as best we can.”

Due to a slew of different injuries up and down the roster, the Roughriders are no strangers to having back-up in the lineup.

Depth offensive coordinator Marc Mueller says this fact has been a benefit for his team.

“It gives guys confidence to know they can go out there and do it as well,” he said. “They’re here for a reason and it’s to play and it’s to help this team win. If they weren’t able to do that, they wouldn’t be here right now.”

“Every guy we’re going to put out there is expected to play to a standard. And that’s what winning football is,” Mueller added.

Players like Shawn Bane Jr., Dell Duncan-Busby and Mario Anderson were seeing more first team reps Monday.

Maier says the late season opportunities can be a proving ground for any player, including himself.

“Guys need to be able to prove when they step on the field, there is no drop off,” he said. “You’ve got to be able to execute just like the guys in front of you.”