Newcomer White will start at cornerback

Less than a week after arriving in Ottawa, former Montreal Alouettes cornerback Mitchell White will start for the Ottawa Redblacks on Friday night in Regina.

White will replace rookie Jonathan Rose in the starting lineup against the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

“It’s a bit to do with health, plus Mitchell White’s picked up what we’re doing,” said Redblacks coach Rick Campbell on Thursday. “We’re making sure we’re playing with healthy bodies. (Rose) just got banged up a bit.”

Defensive backs Forrest Hightower and Jerrell Gavins will return to the lineup. Linebacker Burton De Koning will make his regular-season debut. The Redblacks also transferred Jeff Richards to the six-game injured list.

“Richards, way back in mini camp, he had an ankle thing — it just hasn’t gotten quite right,” said Campbell. “We have the option to pull him off (the injured list) early. He’s kept on trying to come back and it’s kind of lingered on him. We just want to make sure he gets completely healthy because we have a long season to go.”

The Redblacks wanted to get a look at White.

“He’s smart,” said Campbell. “(The Alouettes) do some different things on defence so you can see how he understood how to play zone, plus he’s capable of playing man. He’s played at a high level in this league and he’s practised well, so far, since he’s been here.”

“I’m ready to go out there and just play football,” said White. “I’m looking to prove in a game that they made the right decision. I feel confident. I know I can make plays.”