Jameer Thurman is on a turnover tear.
The veteran CFL middle linebacker has registered four defensive takeaways — three fumble recoveries, plus an interception-return touchdown — while helping the Roughriders enjoy a 4-0 start to the 2024 season.
“I’ve just been running to the ball,” Thurman said leading up to Saturday’s game against the host B.C. Lions (5 p.m., TSN, CKRM). “There’s been guys around me who have been making the plays.
“Good things happen when you run to the ball. I’ve been fortunate enough to be in positions to get those fumble recoveries and get a tipped interception.”
The interception, which Thurman snared after a Bo Levi Mitchell pass was deflected by fellow linebacker C.J. Avery, was returned 28 yards for a touchdown in a 36-20 victory over the visiting Hamilton Tiger-Cats on June 23. Thurman added a fumble recovery in that game, against the team with which he spent the 2023 season.
He joined the Roughriders as a high-priority free-agent signing on Feb. 13.
“He has done a little bit of everything,” Head Coach Corey Mace said. “There are also the intangibles of what he brings to a meeting room, to a locker room, and on the field as a communicator.
“Those are all things that we envisioned when free agency started and ID’ing him as a guy we wanted to bring into the building. He has been as advertised.”
Thurman’s three fumble recoveries lead the league. Nobody else has more than one.
He also stands alone atop the CFL’s takeaway table. Roughriders defensive halfback Rolan Milligan Jr. is next in line with three.
Thurman is the first Roughrider to register four takeaways in four or fewer games since September of 2018, when Loucheiz Purifoy had three interceptions and a fumble recovery in a three-week span.
Ed Gainey had two turnover binges during his 10-interception season of 2017. He registered seven takeaways (six picks, one fumble recovery) over a three-game stretch and five takeaways (four picks, one fumble recovery) over a four-game period.
As for Thurman, the four defensive takeaways are the most for a Roughrider over the first four games of a season in at least a quarter-century.
His impact transcends statistics, as impressive as they are.
“It’s like having another coach in the room,” Linebackers Coach and Run Game Co-ordinator J.C. Sherritt said. “It makes my life so easy, because he sets the standard for the entire room. He accepts a certain standard and that’s how everybody acts.
“It’s a dream as a coach.”
As someone who was himself an elite middle linebacker, Sherritt has an enhanced appreciation for everything Thurman offers.
“There are certain individuals you run into throughout your life who carry themselves a certain way and it’s a way that generates respect,” Sherritt said.
“In this type of business, when you back that up by being really good at football, it pairs with ‘OK, that’s how you’re supposed to do it,’ especially for the young guys.
“It’s really great for our room that has a lot of young guys, because not everybody gets that. You don’t get the great example.
“Coming into this league, our young guys get a look right across the room and it’s, ‘OK, that’s how it’s done.’
“It’s awesome. He’s just a joy to be around.”
ROLAN’S ROLLIN’
Milligan Jr. leads the CFL in interceptions (three) and special teams tackles (nine).
“It’s tremendous,” Mace said when asked about Milligan Jr.’s varied contributions.
“He sits in on every possible meeting he can possibly be in, preparing himself for any situation.
“Time and time again, you look at the stats sheet after the game and think, ‘He had another two, three or four special teams tackles on top of the plays that he’s making on defence.’
“It’s just a testament to him. He’s an excellent football player and, for anybody who knows the guy, he’s an unbelievable human.”
Milligan Jr. also earned plaudits from the Roughriders’ Linebackers Coach and Run Game Co-ordinator.
“He’s one of the most complete players I’ve ever been around,” J.C. Sherritt said. “He is impressive and he’s a professional. That guy comes to work every day and asks questions.
“You feel confident when he’s on your team. That’s the best compliment I can give him.”
INJURY UPDATE
Defensive end Malik Carney, who has a knee injury, was limited in practice on Thursday and is listed as questionable for Saturday’s game.
However, Mace noted that “we anticipate him to play.”
Carney’s presence is especially important in light of knee injuries sustained by two defensive linemen — tackle Charbel Dabire and end Christian Albright — in a 30-23 victory over the visiting Toronto Argonauts on June 4.
Defensive tackle Miles Brown, who missed last week’s game due to illness, is available for Saturday. So is defensive end Bryan Cox Jr., who has recovered from a back injury that limited him in practice on Tuesday.
Defensive end Nicholas Dheilly (shoulder) did not practise all week. His injury is not expected to sideline him long-term.
Receiver Shawn Bane Jr. (personal), linebacker Adam Auclair (shoulder) and running back Thomas Bertrand-Hudon (head) are all available for Saturday after missing the Toronto game.
GLOBAL GRIT
Global defensive lineman Habakkuk Baldonado was a major contributor against Toronto — in his first game of the season, and especially in light of the aforementioned injuries.
Baldonado registered a pass knockdown at the line of scrimmage and tackled Argos running back Ka’Deem Carey for a short gain when it appeared that the play would gain considerably more than two yards.
“To that point, (Baldonado) had not been activated throughout the season,” Mace said. “We tell everybody, ‘It could be at any time, so always prepare yourself to be ready.’
“Haba got his opportunity in the game and he made some really big plays for us. And some of the stuff doesn’t even show up on the stats sheet.
“He did a good job for us. He’ll get some more burn this week. The standard’s the standard, man. That’s just what it is.”
