Roughriders' Bagg, Owens to miss season opener vs. Alouettes due to injury

The Saskatchewan Roughriders are set to open the CFL regular season Thursday against the Montreal Alouettes, but they will be forced to do so without two of their most dynamic offensive threats.

Riders head coach Chris Jones announced Tuesday that both Rob Bagg and Chad Owens will be out of action in the season opener, but did not give any specification in regard to types of injury.

"Bagg should be back I think next week and Owens should be an extended period of time," Jones said.

Riders broadcaster Rod Pederson reported that Bagg will be out of the lineup due to an ankle injury, while Owens is reportedly suffering lingering effects from a broken foot sustained last season, according to Justin Dunk of 3 Down Nation, citing sources.

"The X-ray showed it was 98 per cent but when he went out the other day, he felt a little bit of twinge on it," Jones added regarding Bagg's injury. "We just don’t want to do any further damage."

Owens has yet to suit up for the Roughriders after signing a two-year deal with the team in February.

The loss of both players is certainly unwelcome for Jones as former Riders quarterback Darian Durant faces off against his former team for the first time. Durant, whose rights were traded to the Alouettes in January for a pair of draft picks, signed a three-year extension with the club a week later.