The deadline for cutting rosters down for the start of the regular-season is still a ways away in the C-F-L. But, the Saskatchewan Roughriders made a couple moves before hitting the Mosaic Stadium turf in Regina Monday morning for the first time in 2026.
The Green and White released American offensive lineman Darius Washington. The 25-year-old played four regular-season games with the team in 2025, making two starts at left tackle, one start at right tackle, and one start at left guard. He was on the practice roster when the team won the Grey Cup in Winnipeg. The Riders added that they signed American receiver J-J Hester and American defensive back Steven Weston Junior. Camp continues this week, then Saskatchewan has the opening week bye in the C-F-L and won’t start defence of the league title until Saturday, June 13th at home against the B-C Lions. Following is the news release from the Roughriders…..
DATE: May 25, 2026
RELEASE TIME: IMMEDIATELY
RELEASE: SR26-96
RIDERS ADD TWO AMERICANS
The Saskatchewan Roughriders have signed American receiver Javian (J.J.) Hester and American defensive back Steven Weston Jr.
Hester (6’5-201) averaged an impressive 19.1 yards per reception over his collegiate career with Missouri (2020-21), Oklahoma (2022-24) and Kentucky (2025). In his final collegiate season, he recorded 117 yards and four touchdowns on just eight receptions for the Wildcats — averaging one touchdown for every two catches. The year prior, playing in his home state of Oklahoma, Hester hauled in 14 receptions for 315 yards, averaging 22.5 yards per catch. His 90-yard touchdown reception in 2024 tied for the second-longest catch in the tradition-rich Sooners’ program history. Overall, Hester appeared in 46 collegiate games, recording 35 receptions for 670 yards and seven touchdowns.
Weston Jr. (6’0-185) spent four collegiate seasons at Ouachita Baptist (2022-25). As a senior in 2025, he posted team-leading totals of three interceptions and eight pass deflections in 11 games, earning First-Team All-Great American Conference honours at cornerback. He also received Division II Conference Commissioners Association All-Region Second Team recognition. The Arkansas-born Weston emerged as one of the GAC’s premier defensive backs in 2023, tallying one interception and 12 pass deflections, before adding two interceptions and 10 deflections in 2024. Over his collegiate career, Weston Jr. totalled 141 defensive tackles, five tackles for loss, one sack, six interceptions, 36 pass deflections and two forced fumbles.
In addition, the Club has moved National defensive lineman Lake Korte-Moore to one-game injured and released American offensive lineman Darius Washington.
