Carter pushes way into spotlight
Roughriders standout receiver revels in opportunity to take some social-media shots at rival Redblacks
Duron Carter stole the show on Saturday.
The Saskatchewan Roughriders wide receiver-defensive back was his usual entertaining self in advance of Sunday’s East Division semifinal against the host Ottawa Redblacks.
Carter set the stage before meeting with the media Saturday with a tweet to a comment by Ottawa safety Antoine Pruneau about Carter’s trash-talking. Pruneau joked “as long as he doesn’t push our coach, it’s going to stay respectful.”
Pruneau’s response was in regards to Carter, who bumped into Redblacks head coach Rick Campbell while with the Montreal Alouettes in 2016. Carter was suspended for a game for the incident.
Pruneau’s statement was posted on Twitter and Carter quickly provided a reply.
“Yeah whatever! Last 3 times I played Ottawa I have like over 500 yards ... flopping is probably the only way to stop me,” Carter tweeted.
In two games versus Ottawa this season, he has 16 receptions for 320 yards, including 11 catches for 231 yards in a 33-32 loss to the Redblacks on Oct. 13.
On Saturday, Carter added more fuel to his Twitter post when talking about the Redblacks defending him.
“At the end of the day, they can stop me eight out of 12 times,” Carter said. “I’m still going to have four catches for 100-some yards and two touchdowns. So who really won? I just like getting into their heads and getting under their skin. It’s all just fun and games.”
After leaving the podium, Carter then took a seat among the media members. Carter’s first question was to ask Saskatchewan’s defensive players at the podium where Ottawa’s receivers rank in the CFL.
“They have Greg Ellingson who is probably one of the better receivers in the league,” said Riders cornerback Jovon Johnson. “Other than that, as far as a receiving corps, I wouldn’t say they rank in the top two. I would say Saskatchewan and Edmonton have the top two receiving corps in the league.”
The Riders plan to use Carter primarily as a receiver Sunday and only if necessary at cornerback.
Carter had filled in at cornerback during a stretch in which the Riders were dealing with injuries in the defensive backfield. He started at cornerback against the Calgary Stampeders Oct. 20 and returned an interception 43 yards for a touchdown in the Riders’ 30-7 victory.
The return of Kacy Rodgers II means Carter can focus on being a receiver. Carter leads the Riders in receiving yards (1,043) and targets (120). Carter and Naaman Roosevelt were tied for the team lead in touchdown catches (eight).
“I’ve been focusing on the game plan,” Carter said. “I want to make sure that I’m in the right areas for (quarterback) Kevin Glenn. I feel like we have a great plan going in and we’ve had some great plans in the regular season. Hopefully we can have more of the same.”
Roosevelt returns to the active roster after recently suffering two concussions. Roosevelt, who was second on the team in receiving yards (1,035), missed the Green and White’s final three regular-season games due to the concussions.
Jones decided to rest Roosevelt rather than risk the receiver not being able to play in the playoffs.
Veteran guard Brendon LaBatte won’t play Sunday. LaBatte injured his left leg Nov. 4 in a loss to the Edmonton Eskimos. International Derek Dennis starts at left guard with LaBatte out.
National Kienan LaFrance, who helped Ottawa win the Grey Cup in 2016, is listed as the starting tailback on the Riders’ depth chart. International Marcus Thigpen is second, followed by national Greg Morris.
The Riders are expected to alternate LaFrance and Thigpen due to national/international ratio considerations with LaBatte sidelined.