Riders defensive back Juju Hughes to make debut against Calgary Stampeders

Juwuane “Juju” Hughes is no stranger to pro football, but the Saskatchewan Roughriders defensive back will have a new first added to his resume on Saturday.

The 27-year-old defensive back will suit up for his first regular-season CFL game due to star defender Rolan Milligan Jr. being added to the six-game injured list with a shoulder injury he suffered in the team’s 31-27 win over the B.C. Lions last weekend.

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“It’s a blessing,” Hughes said. “Just excited for the opportunity. I have been working for this, and this is why they brought me here, and excited to get to it.”

One of the first things you notice about Hughes when he is practicing is that he frequently has a toothpick in his mouth.

“I was a sophomore in high school, and it was supposed to help me stop biting my nails,” Hughes explained. “It helped me for two weeks. I still bite my nails to this day but the toothpick just became my thing.”

The Hanford, Calif., product played in 26 NFL games during his time with the Los Angeles Rams and Detroit Lions. He also had a stint with the Arizona Cardinals before playing with the Birmingham Stallions in the UFL.

“That was a blessing. I think that’s what a lot of us worked to get to,” Hughes said. “That was a dream and a goal, so definitely a blessing just to get there and be there for three years – everything I could ask for.”

He’s also appeared in the Hard Knocks series as a member of all three teams.

“It was cool all three years to get that experience and be around it and see it behind the scenes and everything,” Hughes said.

While this is his first season in the CFL, the league has been on his radar. Both Hughes and wide receiver KeeSean Johnson were teammates at Fresno State, where the defensive co-ordinator in 2017 was Orlondo Steinauer, the former head coach of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and the team’s current president of football operations.

“(Johnson) was in my ear a little bit getting me out here,” Hughes said. “Watching him do his thing out here these last few years, and him being in my ear helped get me to come out here.”

During preseason action, Hughes had six defensive tackles and two special-teams tackles, which helped earn him a spot on the practice roster.

“That’s what I worked for all year,” Hughes said.

“It’s a blessing to be able to show my talent and show what I am capable of. Don’t want to look too far into it, just excited for my opportunity.”

Hughes said he’s already learned a lot about the Canadian game from Milligan Jr., who was the CFL’s 2024 Most Outstanding Defensive Player.

“He’s a pro’s pro. A vet in the game, and knows how to do everything top-down and play the game at an elite level,” Hughes said. “A great guy to have in your corner.”

The Saskatchewan Roughriders will take on the Calgary Stampeders on Saturday at McMahon Stadium. Kickoff for the game is set for 5 p.m. and The Green Zone’s pregame show begins at 3 p.m.

Along with Milligan, long snapper Aaron Crawford (knee) has been added to the six-game injured list. Safety Nelson Lokombo (ankle) and linebacker Jayden Dalke (hand) will also miss the game, as both were put on the one-game injured list.

Long snapper Mike Benson and defensive back Jonathan Edouard, whose signings were announced on Wednesday, will be on the active roster.