The Saskatchewan Roughriders returned to the practice field on Tuesday morning at Mosaic Stadium. To no one’s surprise Right Tackle Jermarcus Hardrick was not on the field with the team. Hardrick left Saturday’s game in B.C. on a cart in the second half after being shaken up. Giving Rider Nation a glimmer of hope was his return to the sideline in crutches in the fourth quarter of that game. However, the optimism was short lived Tuesday when Head Coach Corey Mace announced that the reigning CFL Offensive Lineman of the year would be out long term with a torn Quad.
The injury, which is similar to the hurt sustained by starting Left Guard Phillip Blake last month, will likely require surgery and while the hope is that Hardrick could potentially return late in the season there is no timeline for the recovery.
Next man up for the Saskatchewan Roughriders is 25-year-old Vanderbilt grad Jacob Brammer. The 6’ 1” 301lb native of Richmond Tennessee turned heads during the team’s training camp in Saskatoon and he made an impression on the coaching staff with his pre-season play, especially against Winnipeg on May 20.
Brammer has been taking some reps during practice over the last few weeks when Hardrick was out healing small bumps and bruises so he is comfortable with Logan Ferland who will return to the Right Guard spot.
So, with the long-term injuries, the Riders offensive line is projected to look like this moving forward:
LT – Trevor Reid
LG – Ryan Sceviour
C – Peter Godber
RG – Logan Ferland
RT – Jacob Brammer
In a corresponding move with the Hardrick injury came the announcement that the Riders signed free-agent offensive lineman Nick Jones.
Jones (6’3-300) played 32 collegiate career games over three seasons (2021-2023) at left tackle and left guard with Mississippi State, making 25 starts.
As a senior, Jones allowed only three sacks on 657 snaps and helped the offense rush for 1,761 yards and pass for 2,182 yards.
The Saskatchewan Roughriders will continue preparing for their week 7 match-up with Winnipeg, Wednesday with a closed to the public practice