Riders’ Mario Anderson back for a second stint in Saskatchewan

Mario Anderson hoped he would get another chance with the Saskatchewan Roughriders — he didn’t even unpack his bags.

“I was very confident that if they needed me, I would always be ready whenever they gave me that call and opportunity to play the game I love. I’m just thankful for that opportunity,” Anderson said.

“I told them I was ready to go off rip. I didn’t have to pack much. It’s a blessing to be out here. I watched every single game when I was home and supported the guys as much as I could being back at home.”

Anderson had made the team’s practice roster after training camp and the preseason. Anderson had 37 yards and a touchdown in two preseason games.

He was released shortly after the team signed veteran Ka’Deem Carey. Carey suffered a serious knee injury in the team’s 33-27 win over the B.C. Lions and with Thomas Betrand-Hudon also on the six-game injured list, that opened up a spot for Anderson back on the team.

While waiting for the call to come back to the CFL, Anderson said he was just waiting and helping coach running backs at his local high school. He also started working in a barber shop.

“I brought my clippers this time — I didn’t have them during camp, but I have them this time,” Anderson said.

Head coach Corey Mace said it was a hard decision to release him in the first place.

“We thought really highly of the kid. It’s just how it goes sometimes. Happy as ever to have him back — he’s an excellent kid, knows the game and was an outstanding college player. He just needed an opportunity, and this is one for him. So, (I’m) looking forward to seeing what he does with that,” Mace said.

In his last season at Memphis in 2024, Anderson rushed for 1,362 yards and 18 touchdowns. With no other running backs healthy on the roster, it appears Anderson will make his regular season CFL debut this week when the Riders host the Edmonton Elks. Kickoff for the game is set for 7 p.m. The Green Zone pregame show begins at 5 p.m.

He will back up starter AJ Ouellette, who currently sits third in CFL rushing with 428 yards.

“I’m excited. I get to learn from two of the best in the league in AJ and coach (Andrew) Harris and soak up the knowledge as much as I can from those guys and when it is my turn to go out there and make a play, I need to make the most out of it — just go out there and be the best version of me,” Anderson said.

When he does get into the game, it will be behind another offensive line combination for the team this season.

Offensive guard Zack Fry has been ruled out of the game due to a head injury after being limited in practice on Wednesday. The team could choose to start Noah Zerr at the guard spot and bring up another Canadian offensive lineman — either Dre Doiron or Braydon Noll — or could choose to bring on American Nick Jones and adjust how they roll out the ratio.

Linebacker Jameer Thurman (toe) was a full participant on Wednesday after being limited on Tuesday.