Redblacks take a hit on O-line

OTTAWA Things were already hard enough for Ottawa quarterback Ryan Lindley without another giant hole opening up in the Redblacks’ offensive line.

With starting quarterback Trevor Harris and back-up Drew Tate sidelined by injuries, the pressure lies on third-string pivot Lindley to find a way to beat the Saskatchewan Roughriders on Friday night at TD Place.

Lindley’s job became tougher Thursday morning when Ottawa head coach Rick Campbell announced the Redblacks (5-8-1) would be without veteran offensive lineman SirVincent Rogers, who suffered a setback at practice Wednesday.

Already without Jon Gott and Nolan MacMillan, the Redblacks O-line will have a very different look Friday night. Jake Silas will replace Rogers, Matt Albright will be at right guard and Alex Mateas will be at centre. Ottawa will also be without defensive back Jerrell Gavins as he hasn’t cleared all the concussion protocol tests.

“We’re missing some firepower this game when you put those three guys and our top two quarterbacks and the starting DB,” Campbell said. “We’re missing firepower, but at the same time that’s why we have all these guys around here so we have guys that can step in and step up and that’s we’re fully expecting people to do.”