The Ottawa Redblacks hadn’t played a game or even practised in 10 days, so a lot of catching up was required when the Canadian Football League team returned to work at TD Place stadium on Sunday.

That list included one new face, a couple of old faces in a new place and two others gone entirely, plus a minor blow to the bottom line from the combination of a fine and a salary-cap charge for what the CFL ruled was a roster violation.

Redblacks general manager Marcel Desjardins wouldn’t offer specifics, but confirmed the reported $5,000 fine and additional salary-cap charge, which had yet to be announced by the league office.

That won’t stop the rest of us from playing CFL sleuths, however.

It’s assumed the violation involved one player on the practice roster working out with another on the six-game injured list, the latter being prohibited from practising with teammates until the week leading up to the sixth game.

The punishment’s timing suggests the Redblacks’ violation occurred in August, ruling out quarterback Henry Burris, who was on the injured list in July. A defensive back covering a receiver on pass routes doesn’t make sense, either, since those drills would also involve a quarterback, nor would offensive and defensive linemen normally go one-on-one outside regular practices.

A receiver might work out with a quarterback individually, but, since Burris was the only Redblacks QB on either the six-game injured list or practice roster this year, remaining options include a long-snapper practising with a kicker/punter. Again, Desjardins didn’t provide details, but that would fit the assumed particulars of the violation since the Redblacks have had a practice-roster long snapper (Tanner Doll) and injured punter (Ronnie Pfeffer) all season.

A rule is a rule, though, and there’s no chance CFL headquarters wants to be accused of looking the other way after fining the Saskatchewan Roughriders $60,000 and a $26,000 salary-cap charge for multiple roster-rule violations earlier this season.

PUNTER/KICKER GETS LOOK

Desjardins was willing to comment on the signing of punter/kicker Sergio Castillo. National kicker Chris Milo and punter Zack Medeiros remain on the active roster, but the Redblacks will take a look at the international Castillo, currently on the practice squad.

Castillo made 10 of 13 field-goal attempts for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in four games last season and attended their training camp in June, but had no genuine chance of beating out free-agent signee Justin Medlock.

“We just need to be more consistent,” Desjardins said. “(Milo and Medeiros) have the ability, but they’re not showing the consistency right now.”

TEST RUN

Following the release of safety Jermaine Robinson, announced Friday, Redblacks coaches will consider Antoine Pruneau and Jeff Richards for that position in Saturday’s road test against the league-leading Calgary Stampeders.

Pruneau spent extra time at his parents’ Montreal home during the bye week that followed the Redblacks’ 19-14 victory against the Alouettes on Sept. 1.

Lest we forget, the Redblacks (5-4-1) delivered a dud in the first game after the previous bye, losing 43-19 to the Alouettes at home on Aug. 19. That itself should provide ample motivation to perform better against the Stampeders (9-1-1).

“We didn’t really talk about it, but everybody knows that, the last time that happened, we didn’t get the job done,” Pruneau said. “Coach (Rick Campbell) gave us a lot of time during that bye week, so he trusts us to be professionals and come back the right way. I think everybody knows we’re going to face a really good team this weekend, and we just have to go out and get that W.”

FOUR READY TO RETURN

Those on the field Sunday included offensive lineman Alex Mateas, running back Kienan Lafrance, defensive halfback Jerrell Gavins and defensive end Arnaud Gascon-Nadon, all returning from injuries.

Mateas (foot) and Lafrance (ribs) both missed the Sept. 1 contest, while Gavins (knee) has been out for four games and Gascon-Nadon (ankle) has been out for five, meaning neither could be blamed for the post-bye debacle on Aug. 19.

The always-talkative Gavins said he had no special message for teammates while preparing for his return to the lineup.

“Man, I’m so little and I don’t like yelling and yelling and yelling,” Gavins said. “I have an annoying, squeaky voice. The only thing I can do is run around and hit people, be smiling a lot.

“I just know me saying something to you doesn’t do anything to you, but me having a reaction or hitting somebody or doing something will wake everybody up … just making plays.”