The Saskatchewan Roughriders are preparing for Friday’s meeting with the Edmonton Elks; potentially without their leading tackler, Jameer Thurman.
Thurman didn't take team reps in practice on Tuesday and was listed by the Green and White as limited in his participation due to a toe injury.
Taking Thurman’s reps at practice this week has been second-year linebacker Aubrey Miller Jr.
Miller Jr. signed with the Riders in 2024 after being released following a pair of preseason games with the Miami Dolphins in 2023.
The 26-year-old from Memphis, Tennessee is ready for the opportunity should it arrive.
“You were always a starter at one point in your life. It’s all about having those same emotions, feelings and trusting the guys in front of me, making it even more comfortable. Plus, having mental reps behind a great vet like Thurm. So whenever the opportunity comes about, I'm very comfortable there.”
Riders’ head coach Corey Mace is comfortable with what Miller brings to the lineup.
“He’s a dog. He does everything at high intensity. He puts in quarterback hours, here early and is here super late. He’s accountable for everything. If he messes up something, he is accountable for it, he is going to look to find the way to do it the right way, do it at a million miles an hour and most likely do it pretty physically. Those are certainly intangibles that we want from a linebacker.”
Miller has primarily been used on special teams by the Green and White this season, recording five special teams tackles and a pair of defensive tackles. However, if he gets an increased role on defence, he won’t approach it any differently.
“If you stay ready, you don't have to get ready. Make sure I do all the mental reps, after the mental reps, go out and do it myself. It’s nothing new, do the same thing every single day. As far as prepping goes, it's no different from special teams, make sure you do your job, your job only and then everything else will come.”
Miller and the Roughriders host the Edmonton Elks Friday night at Mosaic Stadium. Catch all of the action on the 620 CKRM Cooperators Rider Broadcast Network starting at 4 p.m. with our Countdown to Kickoff pre-game show.