Ajou Ajou had a quick message for the Saskatchewan Roughriders\u2019 General Manager earlier this week.<\/p>\n
\u201cHey, Jeremy O\u2019Day, I\u2019m coming home!\u201d<\/p>\n
In short order, the 23-year-old receiver was at the airport and destined for Saskatchewan after spending training camp and the pre-season with the NFL\u2019s Indianapolis Colts.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a great day to be alive,\u201d Ajou, upbeat as always, said after Friday\u2019s practice at Mosaic Stadium.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s bittersweet (after being released), but I\u2019m coming home to some fans and some people who love me.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m all for it. I\u2019m happy.\u201d<\/p>\n
In three NFL pre-season games, Ajou caught four passes for 27 yards \u2014\u00a0barely a year after being chosen by Saskatchewan in the seventh round of the 2024 CFL Draft.<\/p>\n
During an impressive rookie season with the Roughriders, he piqued the interest of several NFL teams. He ultimately signed with the Colts on Jan. 24, two days after the Roughriders released him so he could pursue an NFL opportunity.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was a dream come true,\u201d he said. \u201cGo on Google and do a search of how many people make it to the NFL. It\u2019s 0.1 per cent or whatever. I got to be part of that 0.1 per cent, for OTAs, rookie mini-camp, training camp.<\/p>\n
\u201cI just look at it as a blessing in disguise. I learned a lot. I\u2019ll just keep working.\u201d<\/p>\n
That was his mindset on Friday, during the Roughriders\u2019 final full practice before Sunday\u2019s Labour Day Classic against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers (5 p.m., Mosaic Stadium).<\/p>\n
Despite a tight turnaround, Ajou hopes to play on Sunday.<\/p>\n
\u201cAre we wearing green right now?! Of course!\u201d he said with a laugh.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m just trying to get back in the playbook. We\u2019ll see what happens. Short notice like that is definitely going to be difficult, but I\u2019m not going to stop asking, though.\u201d<\/p>\n
INJURY UPDATE<\/p>\n
The path is cleared for Mario Alford to return as the Roughriders\u2019 primary returner after he missed five games with a hip injury.<\/p>\n
Alford, a full participant in practice throughout the week, is listed as available for Sunday\u2019s game.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor this game, I know it means a lot to him,\u201d Head Coach Corey Mace said. \u201cIt means a lot to Rider Nation to see him out there.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s Super Mario for a reason. To get him back out there and to allow him to do what he does, whether that\u2019s changing field position or putting points on the board, it\u2019s crucial for us as a team.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe knows what his role is and the part he plays to help us win games. We\u2019re lucky to have him and looking forward to seeing him work.\u201d<\/p>\n
Drae McCray, who handled most of the punt and kickoff returns in Alford\u2019s absence, is listed as \u201cout\u201d on the Roughriders\u2019 latest injury report.<\/p>\n
McCray (head) joins offensive lineman Daniel Johnson (shoulder) and safety Nelson Lokombo (ankle) on the list of players who will not be available for Sunday.<\/p>\n
Defensive back Marcus Sayles (hip) and receiver Shawn Bane Jr. (knee) are listed as questionable.<\/p>\n
Alford, kicker Brett Lauther (personal), offensive tackle Jermarcus Hardrick (personal), linebacker Nick Wiebe (knee) and quarterback Jack Coan (hand) are available.<\/p>\n
RIDERS FAMILY EXPANDS<\/p>\n
Lauther and his wife, Jill, are the proud parents of a daughter. Townes Mary Ann Lauther was born on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
Height: 51.7 centimetres.<\/p>\n
Weight: Eight pounds, two ounces.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m happy for them,\u201d Mace said. \u201cWe\u2019re part of the dad club. We\u2019re both girl dads.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe doesn\u2019t know it yet, but she\u2019s walking into a couple of good parents.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe guys are happy for him. I\u2019m happy for him. Awesome.\u201d<\/p>\n
SELLIN\u2019 MELONS<\/p>\n
Mace concluded Friday\u2019s media session with a plea to the fans.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have yet to yet to see watermelons on people\u2019s heads,\u201d he said. \u201cI don\u2019t know what happened with that. That was a thing. I remember that.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m expecting to see that. I want to see watermelons. I want them sold out in the whole province.\u201d<\/p>\n
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