The Saskatchewan Roughriders are monitoring how the week goes for running back Ryquell Armstead to decide whether he'll play against the Edmonton Elks.
The 27-year-old was in a sling on the sideline after suffering an upper body injury during the Riders' 29-16 win over Ottawa. He did not practice on Tuesday due to a shoulder injury.
"That first game matched with the second one, he took a couple good shots. We're going to slow play it over the week and make a decision. As you guys know for me, you have to practice for the most part to get in there. Thomas stepped up, Frankie's played a lot of games for us, SaRodorick is coming around. We got options," head coach Corey Mace said.
Armstead led the Riders offence with 25 carries for 207 yards in a 37-29 win over the Calgary Stampeders in Week 16, snapping the team's seven-game winless streak. He recorded 10 carries for 32 yards prior to leaving the game against the Redblacks in Week 17.
Meanwhile, prized free agent signing A.J. Ouellette was back on the practice field with the Green and White. He's been on the six-game injured list with a hip injury since after Week 11 and could be activated in Week 19 against the B.C. Lions.
"I want to be smart with A.J. We know exactly how he's going to play. As the weather turns, he's a guy that you're going to want out there. We'll be smart with it but it's great to see him back out there," Mace said.
The five-foot-nine, 210-pound Ouellette has played in seven games while carrying the football 114 times for 466 yards and three touchdowns this season after becoming the highest-paid American running back in the league in February.
Frankie Hickson was a full participant in practice on Tuesday.
Saskatchewan travels to Edmonton to take on the Elks on Saturday at Commonwealth Stadium. Countdown to Kick-off begins with Justin Dunk and Wes Cates at 2 p.m. Luc Mullinder and I will join at 4 p.m. with the kick-off to follow at 5 p.m. on the Co-operators Roughrider Radio Network.
