Roughriders Weigh Harris Rest as Elks Finale Shapes Playoff Path

The Saskatchewan Roughriders face a consequential lineup decision ahead of their regular-season finale against the Edmonton Elks on Saturday, October 24, 2026, at Mosaic Stadium in Regina. Although Saskatchewan has secured a Canadian Football League playoff berth, the result will determine whether the team opens the postseason in the West Division or crosses into the East.

Head coach Corey Mace has not confirmed how extensively he will use his starters. During Tuesday's practice, quarterback Jack Coan took first-team repetitions while Trevor Harris watched from the sidelines, although Mace explained that Harris was simply receiving a day off.

Harris, who has started every game for Saskatchewan this season and leads the CFL in passing yards, could still play a significant role against Edmonton. Mace emphasized that the team's immediate priority remains winning rather than resting players before the playoffs.

"Trevor has played 17 games at the same age as me, and probably just deserves a rest day. So that's what today was looking like," Mace said.

Speaking on SportsCage on Monday, Mace said Saskatchewan intended to build on its latest victory as the team prepared for the postseason. The Roughriders ended a four-game losing streak with a 16-12 win over the Montreal Alouettes on Saturday, securing their playoff place.

"We're still going into this game trying to find every possible way for us to go out there and win a game. It's crucial for us to be able to head into the playoffs while still riding the high of last week and hoping to continue that as we push on the track," Mace said.

The coach acknowledged that Saskatchewan would have to win on the road to advance through the playoffs. The finale against Edmonton will also determine the team's opening-round opponent and the division through which it pursues a championship.

"We know we're going to be on the road. We know that for us to be able to get to where we want to get to, we're going to have to go on the road a couple of times. Then ultimately, if we earn the right to play in Calgary (in the Grey Cup), it's not a home game for us," Mace said.

Mace also addressed the players' dissatisfaction with their recent performances. Against Montreal, Saskatchewan's offense did not produce a touchdown until KeeSean Johnson scored with 29 seconds remaining, while Harris finished with 253 passing yards, one touchdown and one interception.

"It's just the accountability of the guys knowing that they didn't meet the standard of themselves and what they want to give to their teammates. I got no problem with that. You can have great self-reflection in that.

Really, it pisses them off because I know how they want to present themselves as individuals for this team. Ultimately, if they don't have the performance that they hope that they have, they feel like they're letting people down," Mace said.

Former Saskatchewan quarterback Darian Durant has urged the team to keep Harris and its other key starters involved against Edmonton. Durant believes the offense needs more time together after several important receivers missed games through injury.

"It's a huge game coming up this week against Edmonton. I don't think the Riders want to go into this half-stepping because going out east is something you don't want to do," Durant said during his weekly appearance on SportsCage.

A victory would keep Saskatchewan in the West Division playoff bracket and send it to Vancouver to face the B.C. Lions. A loss would move the Roughriders into the East bracket for a matchup with the Toronto Argonauts, who have a 9-8 record and quarterback Chad Kelly dealing with an injury.

Durant considers the Eastern route particularly challenging because it could put Saskatchewan against the Montreal Alouettes in the East championship. Montreal finished with a 13-4 record, with Davis Alexander, Tyson Philpot and Tyler Snead among the players available in the lineup described by SaskToday.

"I think Trevor's got to ride it out. You cannot afford to go into this playoffs in an offensive slump again. I know the Riders are frustrated for having to settle for so many field goals.

I think you have to keep playing, keep building more chemistry. Offensively, especially, you want to get out there because you're looking a little rusty. They didn't get going really until the fourth quarter of that final drive (against Montreal last Saturday).

You want to go into the playoffs with as much momentum as possible. It's a good idea for the riders to play their guys. You don't want to go out east," Durant said.

The Montreal game offered some encouragement despite the offensive difficulties. Harris completed a 74-yard final drive that included contributions from Johnson and Sam Emilus, who had returned to the lineup after injury absences. The decisive touchdown came on Johnson's 17-yard reception.

Durant said Harris's overall season should be considered alongside the recent offensive struggles. The 40-year-old quarterback has thrown for a career-high 5,370 yards, while Saskatchewan's leading receivers have spent portions of the season unavailable.

"I don't see him wearing down at all. He doesn't look tired. He doesn't look old to me.

I just think that most of the season he's been missing two or three of his top receivers. Not only are they Saskatchewan's top receivers, but they're some of the top receivers in the league. There's going to be a drop-off when those guys aren't in the lineup.

He's been having a hell of a season even with those guys out. The only thing I've seen is just some confusion here and there with guys he doesn't have that type of rapport with, the chemistry with. Other than that, he looks fine," Durant said.

Durant also praised Saskatchewan's decision to remain aggressive during the closing possession against Montreal, when Harris threw on every play while the team pursued the winning score.

"I was just happy to see them be aggressive, and I want to see a lot more of that moving forward," Durant said.

Durant recalled a similar situation in 2010, when Saskatchewan had already secured a playoff position but chose to play its starters against Edmonton. He said that approach helped the team regain its offensive rhythm before making a run toward the Grey Cup.

"I can remember back in 2010, we had an opportunity to rest our starters going into the final game of the season. We had a playoff spot clinched. Coach (Ken Miller) decided to put us out there and play.

We were struggling. We had a slump just like the Riders do at the moment. And we went into that final game of the regular season against Edmonton, played our guys and we put up a bunch of points.

We took that momentum and it carried us into the playoffs and on a Grey Cup run," Durant said.

Saskatchewan is scheduled to host Edmonton at 1 p.m. on Saturday, October 24, at Mosaic Stadium, with its opening-round playoff destination dependent on the outcome.