Duron Carter’s punishment for getting into an altercation with a teammate this week will be more playing time.
A lot more.
Head coach/GM Chris Jones said Thursday that Carter will see action on both sides of the ball Friday night when Saskatchewan visit the Calgary Stampeders. Carter, the Roughriders’ leading receiver, practised as a cornerback with the starting defence Thursday as well as with the second-team offence.
Jones wouldn’t say how much Carter will play on defence. But Calgary quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell cautioned Carter about getting comfortable lining up opposite of a Stampeders’ receiver.
READ MORE: Rider coach Chris Jones downplays Carter, Williams fight as part of football
https://twitter.com/BoLeviMitchell/status/920733993456214016
Carter is Saskatchewan’s receiving leader with 1,037 yards from 72 catches with eight TDs. It marks the first time in four CFL seasons Carter has cracked the 1,000-yard plateau.
But the six-foot-five, 205-pound Carter – whose father, Cris, is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame – is being pressed into duty on defence because of injuries to defensive backs Sam Williams – who’s listed on Saskatchewan’s practice roster – Kacy Rodgers II and Chris Lyles. As well, veteran defensive back Otha Foster III is on the six-game injured list.
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Carter has never started on defence but has seen action in the secondary. He played there Saskatchewan’s 41-8 win over the B.C. Lions on Aug. 13 as well as its 27-24 road win over the Toronto Argonauts on Oct. 7.
On Monday, Carter and Williams were involved in an altercation. There were reports a coach encouraged Carter and Williams to continue fighting and that once the melee ended that Carter and fellow receiver Bakari Grant – who tried to break things up – wouldn’t play another game this season with the Riders and the club was making arrangements to fly them both out of Regina.
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On Tuesday, Jones acknowledged an incident occurred between Carter and Williams but downplayed the significance of it. Jones wouldn’t comment on a coach’s reported involvement in the altercation or what, if any, discipline would come as a result.
Friday night’s game is important for both teams.
Calgary (13-1-1) can clinch first in the West Division with a victory while Saskatchewan (8-6) could cement a playoff berth with a victory. The Stampeders are 2-0 this season versus the Riders and riding an 11-game win streak.
Calgary has been unbeatable at home of late, having won its last 17 straight games at McMahon Stadium. The Stampeders are also 7-0 within the West Division while Saskatchewan is 3-5.
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