REGINA — Patience is about to pay off for veteran slotback Chad Owens. After missing the entire year with an injury and then waiting to get into the lineup, the former League MOP will likely make his Riders debut this Friday in Calgary.

Owens was promoted Saskatchewan’s 46-man roster for last week’s game but was listed as a healthy scratch. However, with an injury to Naaman Roosevelt, the former Argo and Ticat receiver will make his Riders debut after signing with the club in February.

“Chad, he is ready to go and he is chomping at the bit ready to play,” head coach Chris Jones told media after Monday’s practice. “So I would venture to say he has a real good shot at playing.”

Owens hasn’t suited up since September of 2016, then as a member of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. Before his injury, Owens was well on pace to eclipse the 1,000-yard mark in receiving for the second time in his career.

Chad Owens is working in Naaman Roosevelt's receiver spot this morning. — Ian Hamilton (@IanHamilton45) October 16, 2017

In eight CFL seasons, Owens has just under 6,000 receiving and 26 touchdowns and has amassed 10,309 total return yards in his career.

As for Roosevelt he has struggled to stay healthy over the last number of weeks, exiting Saskatchewan’s Week 16 game against Toronto early and doing the same last week vs. Ottawa.

“When you have a player that is a 1000-yard receiver and quite frankly one of your team leaders like Naaman – high character guy – out, it is good that you have basically a hall of famer that’s also a high-character guy as well,” Jones explained.

In other injury news, the Riders are likely without the services of offensive tackle Derek Dennis when they take on the Stampeders.

– With files from Riderville.com