Crezdon Butler returns to line up against Argos

After starting for half the season then sitting for four, defensive back Crezdon Butler returns to the lineup on Saturday.

For the first time as a Rider, he’ll fill in at safety with Matt Elam out with an injured hamstring.

Butler doesn’t have a lot of experience in his career playing safety but said after a year and a half as a Roughrider he feels pretty comfortable filling in there.

“With this defense, with us matching up and everything like that, everybody’s got to know everybody’s position so you got to be ready and stay ready and when your number is called you got to execute,” Butler said.

Butler said that head coach Chris Jones told him he’s been sitting to rest his legs since the defensive back is over 30 years old now.

It’s something that Jones has been doing with a few of his older DBs. Over the past several weeks Jovon Johnson has also been sat and Will Blackmon – who has since been released – also got subbed in.

Butler seemed amiable to the idea, though stressed he doesn’t really feel like he needs any rest.

“I don’t feel old at all. When he told me that I kind of looked at him kind of weird, but it is what it is,” he said.

“It’s different because you’ve been a starter the last year and then half of the season. It’s about taking care of your body at that point and then being mentally in it on the sidelines with the guys,” Butler added.

By being added to the lineup in for the game in Toronto on Saturday, Butler may also lineup against former teammate Duron Carter who spent time not only matched up against the Riders defensive backs in practice as a receiver but also at times in the meetings rooms with the DBs as well.

Whoever ends up in the one-on-one battle against Carter is ready for it, though, according to Butler.

“Everybody in the secondary is up for the challenge. (Carter’s) a competitive guy and we’re a competitive group so we look forward to the matchup,” Butler said.

The Roughriders take on the Argonauts on Saturday at 5 p.m.

The Green Zone pregame show begins at 3 p.m.