For the first time in nearly three months, the Saskatchewan Roughriders will have Kian Schaffer-Baker, Samuel Emilus and KeeSean Johnson in its lineup at the same time. “Having us three back out there is going to bring some energy,” Johnson said Friday. “We have a lot of guys who have played games now and made a lot of plays now.” “The three of us, three in a bag, it’s a three-headed monster,” Emilus said about the group. “We feed off of each other and all three being back is going to bring some power on the offence.” Each of the Saskatchewan’s top three receivers have spent time on the injured list. Emilus was the first to the six-game injured list, leaving Week 8’s game against the Elks. He returned early from the injury but was back out of the lineup after sustaining a lower leg injury in Week 12 against B.C. Schaffer-Baker suffered a knee injury in Week 9 and also spent six games on the sidelines. Johnson has played all but one game this season, sitting out a Thanksgiving Monday match-up with Montreal. Confirmed to all be starting again Saturday in the rematch with the Alouettes, it will be the first time all three receivers will start a game since Week 8. “We’ve got some guys returning the lineup, myself included,” Johnson said. “We just want to go out there and execute the gameplan – and do it at the highest level.” Johnson leads the Riders in all major receiving categories; including receiving yards (1,243), targets (147), catches (101), touchdowns receptions (seven), yards after catch (313), and second down conversions (35). Schaffer-Baker, despite playing only nine games is second in many of those categories, but is tied with Johnson for touchdown catches. KSB has 63 catches for 961 yards. Emilus has played just seven games in 2026 but has 514 yards on 38 receptions – fourth on the team. “Us three not being on the field for [three] months, the chemistry between me, Kian and KeeSean [with] the quarterback hurt a little bit,” Emilus admitted. “In this offence, you never really know who’s going to be the main guy because we distribute the ball everywhere. But we’ve got confidence in all the receivers and that Trevor [Harris] is going to go to the right guy and you got to make the play.” The trio has started just six games together all season. In those games, Saskatchewan is 4-2 and average 34 points per game. The remaining 10 games, they are 4-6 with an average of just 24 points. When asked Friday about having his three most dangerous targets all back on the field, all quarterback Trevor Harris could do was smile. “I think if you go ask Montreal if Tyson [Philpot] and [Tyler] Snead are out, how do they feel? Or if B.C. was without [Keon] Hatcher and [Justin] McInnis: it’s a big difference,” explained Harris. “The fact we’ve got these guys back is big time.” The veteran pivot is hopeful having KSB, KJ3 and Emilus all back opens up the offence for everyone. “We can move them around on the checkerboard and let them kind of do their thing,” Harris said. “But it makes our offence more versatile; it helps our run game because they’re very good run blockers as well. A.J. [Ouellette] benefits from that, our offensive line, too.” “When you’ve got your guys healthy, there’s a reason why you’re starting offence is your starting offence. Our guys have done a good job filling in this year for these guys, but they’re highly paid for a reason so we look forward to them all out there at the same time,” he added. Their returns are a much-needed boost for the Riders who need a win. Having lost four-in-a-row, Saskatchewan can also lock in a playoff spot with a victory Saturday plus either a Winnipeg or Calgary loss. “It’s a big one for us,” head coach Corey Mace told reporters Friday. “Man we missed them together. So if nothing else, I am just excited for them.” However, Mace reiterated the offence alone will not win them a football game. “Any team would be okay to get their top three receivers out there get going,” he added. “But I don’t know if it’s necessary. The boost offence we need is we’ve got to be better in all three phases.” Saskatchewan will host the Alouettes at Mosaic Stadium Saturday afternoon. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.
