The Saskatchewan Roughriders released 17 players, added 11 players to the practice roster, placed five players on the retired list and moved one to the suspended list on before the Canadian Football League’s mandated 10 p.m. roster cutdown.
Players released include:
- American defensive lineman Eric Black
- American offensive lineman Yoesph Carter
- American defensive lineman Alex Gubner
- National linebacker Jordan Herdman-Reed
- National linebacker Justin Herdman-Reed
- American linebacker Braxton Hill
- National kicker Dawson Hodge
- American receiver Abdul Janneh Jr.
- American defensive back Robert Javier
- American offensive lineman Nick Jones
- American offensive lineman Brandon Kemp
- American defensive back Tyrique McGhee
- National receiver Brayden Misseri
- American running back Trent Pennix
- American offensive lineman Jahmir Ross-Johnson
- American defensive back Phalen Sanford
- American offensive lineman Jack Sherwin
Added to the practice roster:
- American running back Mario Anderson
- American defensive back Antoine Brooks Jr.
- American defensive lineman Kendy Charles
- American offensive lineman Payton Collins
- Global punter Joe Couch
- American defensive back Eddie Heckard
- National defensive lineman Benoit Marion
- American receiver Drae McCray
- National receiver D’Sean Mimbs
- American receiver Joe Robustelli
- National offensive lineman Noah Zerr
Added to the retired list:
- National defensive back Gideon Agyei
- National offensive lineman Erik Andersen
- National defensive lineman Liam Hoskins
- National linebacker Seth Hundeby
- National receiver Daniel Wiebe
Moved to suspended list:
- Global punter Bailey Flint
Following the Riders' 27-20 loss to Winnipeg in the team's final preseason game, head coach Corey Mace told the 620 CKRM Co-operators Rider Broadcast Network his coaching staff would be in for some difficult decisions.
“Ultimately, we're gonna put together a team and that's gonna leave some guys out of a job. It's hard for these guys, it's a tough pill to swallow, you give everything, you're sacrificing time away from your loved ones and your body. You know the hours that we require from these guys during training camp, from a mental aspect, it's a lot.”
Hill, who joined the Green and White in September 2024, was among those released. On the Rider Broadcast Network post-game show, he admitted it was nerve-wracking until the final roster was announced.
“A lot of thoughts and emotions are running through my head. I've surrendered to the outcome, just doing my best. Whatever the result is, that's what the outcome is. Put my best foot forward, no matter what that is."
Mace added meeting with players to decide their fate isn’t easy, but the organization does it with each individual.
“There's gonna be some guys that are gonna be left without a job, they've chosen this as their career path, ultimately to provide for and support their families. We don't lose sight of that within the organization. We understand that there's a human element to it. I want to make sure that those guys knew how much we appreciate everything.”
The Roughriders practice on Sunday to begin preparing for their Week 1 match-up with Ottawa at Mosaic Stadium on Thursday, June 5 at 7 p.m.
