Trumaine Washington’s Saskatchewan Roughriders moment occurred nearly five years before he joined the team.
As a member of the Toronto Argonauts on Sept. 22, 2018, Washington scored his first CFL touchdown — courtesy of a 62-yard interception return against the visiting Roughriders.
“I’ll never forget that,” the newly signed Washington said with a smile on Tuesday at Mosaic Stadium, following his first practice with the Green and White. “That’s a memory right there. That was my second pick of the game.
“I was just being a dog, just being a ballplayer in man-to-man coverage. I was just making a play when we needed it badly.”
On the final play of the third quarter, Washington stepped in front of a Zach Collaros pass and sprinted toward the end zone at the Rogers Centre. The convert, by Zack Medeiros, created a 27-27 tie.
Saskatchewan went on to win a nailbiter, 30-29, thanks to a 56-yard field goal by Brett Lauther with 1:14 remaining in the game.
Lauther is one of five players from that game who remain with the Roughriders — the others being linebackers Derrick Moncrief and Micah Teitz, cornerback Nic Marshall and long-snapper Jorgen Hus.
On the aforementioned September day in 2018, Washington made both of the interceptions he would record over 13 games as a first-year CFLer.
He followed up with three picks in 12 games with the 2019 Argonauts.
Then came a banner 2021 campaign, in which Washington produced a league-high five interceptions — one of which he returned for a TD — in 14 games.
He added two more interceptions, and another pick-six, in 12 games with the Calgary Stampeders last season.
“I’ve always been labelled as a playmaker,” Washington said. “I’m big on film study and just knowing what offences like to do and what the quarterback’s mindset is.
“I just love making plays. I don’t get too big-headed and I just come to work every day, every game.”
The signing of the 5-foot-9, 190-pound Washington was announced on Tuesday by the Roughriders, who are preparing for Saturday’s Touchdown Atlantic showdown with the Argonauts in Halifax (2 p.m., TSN, CKRM).
Washington arrives at a time when the Roughriders are without a top defensive back, Rolan Milligan Jr., who is on the six-game injured list. Milligan Jr. has missed the past two games with a foot injury.
“Trumaine is going to help us,” Roughriders Head Coach Craig Dickenson said. “We feel like our secondary is a little thin, with Rolan going down, and we wanted a guy who’s got CFL experience.
“He’s a real grinder and he’s physical. He’s not a real tall guy, but he competes very hard.
“Trumaine is going to help us at some point this year.”
GODBER’S GOOD TO GO
Roughriders centre Peter Godber returned to the practice field on Tuesday after missing three games with a hand injury.
“It’s great to be back,” Godber said. “I love playing football and it’s great to be back with the guys and getting ready for a big weekend against a great opponent in Toronto.”
Godber became a full-time starter with the B.C. Lions to begin the COVID-shortened 2021 season. He played in all 14 games that season and followed up in 2022 by playing in each of the Lions’ 18 contests.
He subsequently started the Roughriders’ first three games of 2023 before being hurt on June 24 in Calgary.
“It’s the first time I’ve missed any games since before COVID and it sucks not being able to play football, but injuries happen in football and you’ve got to just adapt, improvise, overcome and be ready to go when you’re healthy,” he said.
Godber joined the Roughriders as a free agent on Feb. 14.
“He was a priority signing this off-season and, to get him back anchoring that line, I think it’s going to help us,” Dickenson said.
There was more good news on the injury front on Tuesday as receivers Jake Wieneke (knee), Brayden Lenius (lacerated kidney) and Kian Schaffer-Baker (hip), along with defensive lineman Anthony Lanier II (foot), were back at practice.
Lenius was injured in the Roughriders’ pre-season finale. Wieneke and Lanier II have missed three and two games, respectively. Schaeffer-Baker is recovering from off-season hip surgery.
“Schaffer-Baker’s off the six-game (injured list) so now he can get out there and move around,” Dickenson said. “It was just minimal stuff for him (on Tuesday). “We’ll take him slowly but hopefully get him back by Labour Day. That’s the goal.”
Six players received the DNP (Did Not Practice) designation on Tuesday — receivers Tevin Jones (illness), Kendall Watson (ribs) and Mitch Picton (head), defensive backs Jaxon Ford (ankle) and Rodney Clemons (ankle) and defensive lineman Bryan Cox Jr. (knee).
Linebacker Matt Dean (foot) and offensive lineman Zack Fry (lower back) were limited in practice, as was Schaffer-Baker.
PROPS FROM PFF
Two Roughriders players received the highest grades in their respective positions during Week 7, according to analytics results released by Pro Football Focus on Tuesday.
Right tackle Colin Kelly led all offensive linemen with a grade of 75.0.
Safety Jayden Dalke paced all special-teams performers last week with a score of 91.8.
