(Written by Marc Smith)

The Saskatchewan Roughriders have been short handed in the eight games so far this season.  They have nine players on their nine-game injured list, but some of those players could be on their way back.

Kicker Luca Congi, receiver Cary Koch and defensive back Leron Mitchell are all due to come off the list in time for next week’s Banjo Bowl in Winnipeg.  They’ve all been on the field with the Green & White this week as they practice at Mosaic Stadium and now they’ll just need to find room for the vets.

Head coach Ken Miller says it’s a good problem to have, “The decisions that we have to make are good problems to have, so we're looking forward to those men being ready to play.”

Koch says his injury -- a broken thumb during training camp -- was a tough one to swallow, “I was looking to have a good year, coming off a great end to our season, minus losing the Grey Cup, but personally wanted to make a difference early and really show the league how I could play, so there was a lot of let down.”

“It's been hard watching, but just trying to stay positive.”

While those players are still a week away, running backs Wes Cates and Hugh Charles are back on the field and looked poised to return.  Remond Willis and Chris Graham have also return to practice.

Miller says the return of Cates is a big one for their offence, “He brings stability because you can count on him to do everything that he's assigned to do correctly.  He's going to make the correct decisions in the pass protection, he's going to go to the right place on the run plays and he brings leadership, people look up to him.”

Saskatchewan could be without linebacker Barrin Simpson on Sunday when they take on Winnipeg in the Labour Day Classic, he’s questionable with a rib injury, “It's a cartilage on one of his ribs -- where it joins with the bone -- I don't think there's a fracture there, but we'll just have to see.

“If he can practice on Wednesday and we'll have to make a decision then.  Right now, I would have to say that he's questionable, but we'll just have to see.”

The Riders head back out on to the practice field at Mosaic Stadium on Wednesday.  Kick-off is at 2pm on Sunday in the Labour Day Classic.