Owens primed to finally make delayed debut with Riders
Veteran will be employed as a receiver against Calgary with Roosevelt out
CALGARY Chad Owens is finally ready for takeoff.
Owens, nicknamed The Flyin’ Hawaiian, is slated to make his first start for the Saskatchewan Roughriders on Friday against the host Calgary Stampeders.
He has been grounded by injury since signing with the Riders as a free agent during the off-season.
The veteran CFL returner and receiver has battled the lingering effects of a broken foot he suffered with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats last season.
The 35-year-old Owens had been on the Roughriders’ six-game and one-game injured lists, and was added to the 46-man roster before last Friday’s 33-32 CFL loss to the Ottawa Redblacks. He was scratched before the game, delaying his debut for another week.
A concussion suffered by Naaman Roosevelt against the Redblacks ended an extended wait for Owens.
“It hurts as a player knowing the type of grind your teammates are going through and you can’t be out there grinding with them,” Owens said. “It’s knowing that you can help, but you really can’t be out there helping as much. It’s rewarding for me to be out here with these guys and put in the work.”
Owens was signed to bolster the Riders’ return game, but the injury has kept him from contributing in that manner. The emergence of rookie returner Christion Jones means the Riders really don’t need Owens in that role, and he’s fine with playing receiver.
“I love playing receiver, but I can be a dynamic returner as well,” Owens said. “Christion Jones has done an amazing job and he’s a sparkplug for us. Still, I enjoy playing receiver and I always have. I believe that I’m a better receiver than returner.
“You go into situations being happy for the opportunity. It was going to be as a returner and I was ready to do that job. Now it’s playing receiver and I’m ready for it, too. I can’t wait to catch my first pass from Kevin Glenn.”