After a much needed couple of days off, the Riders were back at Mosaic Stadium practicing on Tuesday.

There was certainly a few more bodies in attendance too.

First off, the team added a couple of players to the practice roster, as they signed non-import receiver Evan Fornwald, and import linebacker Brian Peters. Fornwald is a Regina native, having played for the University of Regina Rams, he was never drafted into the CFL, and was last playing flag football. Peters joins the green and white having played at Northerwestern University.

Secondly, a big group of injured players were back and practicing. As head coach Corey Chamblin expected on Monday, defensive linemen Brent Hawkins and Keith Shologan were both back.

"They made it through practice, we have to see how their conditioning is," said Chamblin. "If they make it through the next couple of days, I expect both of those guys to come up and play."

It's been a long wait for Shologan, who basically hasn't missed a game in football career, so he found it pretty tough to have to sit them out. You certainly noticed the return of the lively Hawkins as well.

Mick Williams was also back on the field after missing the last few weeks with an injury. The defensive line getting healthy probably couldn't come at a better time with the playoffs just around the corner, they'll need the defensive line to be at their best if the team wants to succeed in the second season.

"It's always a good problem to have, when four of five guys are ready to play," said Chamblin.

Another key player could be close to returning too, as linebacker Abraham Kromah was practicing in full gear for the first time since breaking his left almost nine games ago. Kromah was leading the team in tackles when he was put on the nine game injured list. Defensive back Woodny Turenne also appears to be close to returning.

The news isn't all good though, as defensive back Milt Collins, punter Chris Milo, and offensive lineman Xavier Fulton didn't practice.