Josh Stanford is hoping to make the most of a second chance.
The 23-year-old product of Mississauga, Ont., was added to the Saskatchewan Roughriders’ practice roster on Oct. 10, nearly four months after he was released by the CFL’s Roughriders on June 20.
After a week on the practice roster, Stanford was activated for Saskatchewan’s game Friday against the Calgary Stampeders. Starting at wide receiver in place of Duron Carter — who had been moved to cornerback — Stanford caught one pass for 19 yards.
“I wasn’t surprised (to get to play so quickly),” Stanford said. “I think (the coaches) just wanted to see what I could do, see if I’ve got it or not. They threw me into the fire — and that’s something I’m really happy about. I got an opportunity to at least play and see what I can do.”
The Roughriders initially selected Stanford in the eighth round (62nd overall) of the 2016 draft. The University of Kansas product had three receptions for 59 yards in four games last season, but spent the majority of the campaign on the practice roster.
After training camp this season, the 6-foot-1, 190-pounder was placed on the Roughriders’ practice roster on June 17. Three days later, he was released.
Stanford remained in Regina for a while, training in case a team called and also working for a local company. He eventually returned to Toronto, where he spent time with his family and continued to work out.
“I tried not to think about (his football career potentially being over),” Stanford said. “I just tried to stay on pace and stay in shape.”
When the Roughriders ran into injury issues with their Canadian receivers, head coach-GM Chris Jones decided to reach out to Stanford.
“I said, ‘Hey, do you want to give this thing another go and have you been training?’ and he said yes to both things,” Jones recalled. “He has come over and done a really nice job of fitting in with us.”
Stanford knew many of the players in the locker room and that made his return easy. That said, he has seen a subtle difference between the 2017 Roughriders and the 2016 edition.
“We’ve got great coaches and great players and we’re very together,” he said. “I know towards the end of last year, we kind of really started to gel as a unit. To come here and see that the camaraderie has become even better in the locker room, that was good. It’s good to be back.”
With Carter slated to play both corner and receiver in Friday’s home game against the Montreal Alouettes, Stanford could get another start at receiver. It’ll be his second chance this season to make an impression.
“It’s a privilege to be able to play this game and to be able to play in Regina,” he said. “I’m really happy to have a second opportunity to do that.”
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Makana Henry broke the ice.
The Roughriders’ defensive tackle took down Calgary quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell last Friday, giving Henry the first sack of his CFL career. The second-year Roughrider has played in 19 games to date.
On Wednesday, Henry downplayed the accomplishment.
“It doesn’t mean nothing,” said the 30-year-old product of Brampton, Ont. “I’ve got, what, one little measly sack in almost 20 games? I’ve got to round up some more now.
“I got the first one, so let’s go for some more now.”
Henry is part of a rotation along the Roughriders’ defensive line, so he doesn’t have unlimited opportunities to get sacks. He admitted the one he got Friday was offset by a roughing-the-passer penalty he took that wiped out a pick-six by defensive back Ed Gainey.
“I have to try to get better every day and learn from my mistakes,” said Henry, who has 24 defensive tackles this season. “Maybe next game I’ll get a couple of sacks but no penalties. That’s the plan.”
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Jones confirmed Wednesday that tailback Cameron Marshall won’t dress against the Alouettes.
Marshall played in the Roughriders’ game in Calgary after missing the previous six contests with a knee injury. He practised this week, but he’ll be out of the lineup against Montreal. As a result, Trent Richardson and Greg Morris will handle the tailback duties.
Marshall joins the likes of slotback Naaman Roosevelt and linebacker Sam Eguavoen on the sideline as the Roughriders try to get some of their starters healthy in time for the post-season.
“If it was a different situation, they probably could play at different levels of being all right and ready,” Jones said. “But we’ve sealed our spot in the playoffs and I’ve got to make sure that those guys are as healthy as possible in the playoff game.”
Jones noted that cornerback Kacy Rodgers II will be active for Friday’s game, which could impact on Carter’s playing time in the secondary.
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Balloting to determine Saskatchewan’s nominees for the CFL player awards is set to take place and Jones has a vote.
It’s not one of his priorities, however.
“I’ll be honest with you, I could care less about player awards,” he said. “It’s the last thing that crosses my mind. It’s a voted-on, individual award and, as a football team, that has been one of the last things I’ve ever thought about.”
Jones will join members of the Football Reporters of Canada in deciding the Roughriders’ nominees for the awards as outstanding player, defensive player, offensive lineman, rookie, Canadian and special-teams player.
But his focus remains on a bigger prize.
“When you come back in 20 years, they have people who were on Grey Cup teams (and) that’s who they honour,” Jones said. “That’s what matters.”
