Saskatchewan

Roughriders add RB Lache Seastrunk, juggle roster ahead of home opener

The Saskatchewan Roughriders are back in Regina as they prepare for home opener on Thursday against Toronto.

Receiver Armanti Edwards activated from the retired list, four Canadians added

Former B.C. Lions defender Ese Mrabure-Ajufo (98) in CFL action in Ottawa on Saturday July 4, 2015. The Roughriders signed Mrabure-Ajufo on June 26. (THE CANADIAN PRESS\Adrian Wyld)

The Saskatchewan Roughriders are back in Regina as they prepare for their home opener on Thursday.

The team opens the CFL regular season against the Toronto Argonauts (0-1) at Mosaic Stadium at 8 p.m. CST on June 30.

After starting the season on a bye week, the Riders returned to practice on Sunday.

Fans just starting to get a grasp on the new look Riders will need a refresher after the team added several players on Sunday.

Saskatchewan added four Canadians to its active roster:

  • Offensive lineman Dillon Guy
  • Defensive back Raye Hartmann
  • Defensive back Shane Herbert
  • Defensive lineman Ese Mrabure-Ajufo

Guy was drafted by B.C. in the fourth round of the 2016 CFL Draft. He spent five seasons at the University of Buffalo.

Herbert joins the Riders after spending the past three season with Toronto. He appeared in 10 games with the Argos in 2015.

Mrabure-Ajufo is another former B.C. draft pick who was selected in fifth overall in the 2015 CFL Draft. The 23-year-old from Wilfrid Laurier University played in six games last season, recording one quarterback sack.

The team also moved American receiver Armanti Edwards from the retired list to the active roster. The 28-year-old former quarterback converted to receiver spent time with the NFL's Chicago Bears, Cleveland Browns, and Carolina Panthers before joining Saskatchewan.

Former Baylor star added to practice roster

Former Baylor running back Lache Seastrunk (25) at the Fiesta Bowl NCAA college football game, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2014, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

After lacklustre performances running the ball during the pre-season, it's still not entirely clear who will receiving the bulk of the carries for the Riders this season. Currently, Curtis Steele and Matt Walter are the only running backs on the team's active roster.

On Sunday, the Riders added another body in Lache Seastrunk to compete for carries this season. It may take some time, however, as he was added to the team's practice roster.

Seastrunk spent the pre-season with the Calgary Stampeders. The 24-year-old carried the ball five times for 31 yards and a touchdown against B.C. on June 17.

Seastrunk was a star at Baylor University — rushing for 2,189 yards and 18 touchdowns in two seasons with the Bears — and spent time with the NFL's Dallas Cowboys, Tennessee Titans, Carolina Panthers, and Washington Redskins.

This week's practice schedule 

Saskatchewan Roughriders quarterback Darian Durant. (Peter Mills/CBC)

Monday, June 27

  • 10:30 a.m. CST at Mosaic Stadium

Tuesday, June 28

  • 10:30 a.m. at Mosaic Stadium

Wednesday, June 29

  • 10:15 a.m. at Mosaic Stadium

Thursday, June 30

  • 8 p.m. vs Toronto Argonauts at Mosaic Stadium