Following a potential season-ending injury to running back Ka\u2019Deem Carey, the Saskatchewan Roughriders re-signed fellow American running back Mario Anderson.<\/p>\n
The 24-year-old from Goose Creek, South Carolina was initially signed by the Riders on April 29\u00a0leading into\u00a0the team\u2019s training camp\u00a0in Saskatoon. He\u00a0impressed in the Green and White\u2019s rookie camp and earned an opportunity to earn a roster spot in main camp.<\/p>\n
Anderson dressed in both Roughriders\u00a0preseason games against Winnipeg,\u00a0carrying\u00a0the ball 14 times for minus 53 yards after a fumble was returned for a touchdown by the Blue Bombers. He scored one\u00a0touchdown and\u00a0caught three passes for 35 yards. The\u00a0University of Memphis standout\u00a0was added to the Riders practice roster after training camp.<\/p>\n
However, the CFL rookie became expendable when Saskatchewan\u00a0signed veteran running back Ka\u2019Deem Carey on June 9. Following his release by the Green and White, Anderson returned home to South Carolina,\u00a0he resumed working in a barber shop while working out and coaching football at his old high school, Stratford.<\/p>\n
\u201cI watched the CFL in general, but especially the Roughriders —\u00a0I watched every single game.\u00a0Appreciating the fact that I was able to be out\u00a0here with these guys,” Anderson said.<\/p>\n
When Carey was injured in B.C. on Saturday, the 24-year-old got a\u00a0call to see if he was interested in returning to Saskatchewan, which he was more than interested in and quick to respond to.<\/p>\n
\u201cI never took my clothes out of my bag, so I was ready to come back,” the five-foot-eight, 205-pound RB said.<\/p>\n
Anderson’s ready to pick up where he left off in Marc Mueller\u2019s offence.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt’s evolved a little bit, but it’s football. I ain’t been gone too long.\u00a0I kept the playbook,\u00a0I’m able to learn different tweaks and twists, but I’m ready to go,” he said.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe had to let him roll,\u00a0it 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\u00a0and this is one for him. Looking forward to seeing what he does with it,” Mace said.<\/p>\n
According to Anderson, it is an opportunity for which he is grateful.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt 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\u00a0and they chose to call me back. I’m\u00a0thankful to be back here.\u201d<\/p>\n
And if anyone needs a haircut, don\u2019t worry — Anderson brought his clippers with him to Saskatchewan this time.<\/p>\n