Following a potential season-ending injury to running back Ka’Deem Carey, the Saskatchewan Roughriders re-signed fellow American running back Mario Anderson.
The 24-year-old from Goose Creek, South Carolina was initially signed by the Riders on April 29 leading into the team’s training camp in Saskatoon. He impressed in the Green and White’s rookie camp and earned an opportunity to earn a roster spot in main camp.
Anderson dressed in both Roughriders preseason games against Winnipeg, carrying the ball 14 times for minus 53 yards after a fumble was returned for a touchdown by the Blue Bombers. He scored one touchdown and caught three passes for 35 yards. The University of Memphis standout was added to the Riders practice roster after training camp.
However, the CFL rookie became expendable when Saskatchewan signed veteran running back Ka’Deem Carey on June 9. Following his release by the Green and White, Anderson returned home to South Carolina, he resumed working in a barber shop while working out and coaching football at his old high school, Stratford.
“I watched the CFL in general, but especially the Roughriders — I watched every single game. Appreciating the fact that I was able to be out here with these guys," Anderson said.
When Carey was injured in B.C. on Saturday, the 24-year-old got a call to see if he was interested in returning to Saskatchewan, which he was more than interested in and quick to respond to.
“I never took my clothes out of my bag, so I was ready to come back," the five-foot-eight, 205-pound RB said.
Anderson's ready to pick up where he left off in Marc Mueller’s offence.
“It's evolved a little bit, but it's football. I ain't been gone too long. I kept the playbook, I'm able to learn different tweaks and twists, but I'm ready to go," he said.
Head coach Corey Mace believes Anderson will be ready to go if pressed into action this week against Edmonton thanks to his familiarity with the offence.
“We had to let him roll, it was hard because we thought really highly of the kid, and it's just how it goes sometimes, but happy as ever to have him back. Excellent kid, knows the game, an outstanding college player. He needed an opportunity and this is one for him. Looking forward to seeing what he does with it," Mace said.
According to Anderson, it is an opportunity for which he is grateful.
“It means everything to me. Football is a sport that teaches you things outside of just playing the game and things in life. I'm blessed and fortunate enough to be able to get a call back because there are a lot of other great running backs who didn't get a call and they chose to call me back. I'm thankful to be back here.”
And if anyone needs a haircut, don’t worry — Anderson brought his clippers with him to Saskatchewan this time.
Anderson could make his CFL debut on Friday when Saskatchewan hosts the Edmonton Elks at 7 p.m. You can hear that game on the 620 CKRM Co-operators Rider Broadcast network starting with the pre-game show at 4 p.m.
