Latest news with #KaDeemCarey
National Post
18 hours ago
- Sport
- National Post
Why Ka'Deem Carey accepted practice roster spot with Roughriders
After helping the Toronto Argonauts capture the Grey Cup in 2024, running back Ka'Deem Carey was caught off guard when he was cut by the defending champions in training camp this year. Article content However, it didn't take long for the 2024 East Division All-CFLer to land back on his feet as he was signed by the Saskatchewan Roughriders on Monday. Article content Article content 'It definitely was a surprise and heartbreaking but that's how the league goes and that's how the business is,' said Carey, who finished third in the CFL with 1,060 rushing yards last year. 'I accepted it and that's how I ended up here. Article content 'So I'm pretty excited to start my new journey. But yeah, that was definitely a shock.' Article content After Saskatchewan's starting running back A.J. Ouellette suffered a head injury in the Week 1 opener last Thursday against the Ottawa Redblacks, it appeared the signing of Carey was an insurance policy for the Green and White if they were to be without their top running back for an extended period of time. Article content As it turns out, that wasn't necessarily the case as the Roughriders wanted to bring in Carey — who was signed to the practice roster — regardless. Article content 'If Ka'Deem Carey is available, and he wants to be here to even come on the practice squad, I mean we would be kind of silly (to not sign him),' Roughriders head coach Corey Mace said of the running back who also led the CFL in rushing in 2021 and 2022. 'He's an excellent player; had a great year last year, won a Grey Cup, had a great game in the Grey Cup, wanted to be here so we had space to do that. Article content 'This is the place he wants to be. And (the practice roster) situation, I think that speaks volumes to what it is that he believes we have going on here but also him understanding the process of it all, not being afraid to just to help his team get to where we want to go.' Article content Article content With Ouellette cleared to practice this week ahead of Saskatchewan's Week 2 road matchup against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on Saturday (5 p.m., TSN, CTV), there's a chance Carey could remain on the practice roster. Article content Article content However, with backup running back Thomas Bertrand-Hudon missing some practice time this week with a groin injury, the 5-foot-9, 215-pound Carey got some practice reps and could also be called upon to play on short notice, although the Roughriders would need to do some roster juggling when it comes to the ratio. Article content 'No, that's not the (idea), but it's good that he's here,' Mace said of Carey possibly playing. 'We gave Thomas a day (off). He's just nurses something tiny, so we expect him to be back tomorrow.' Article content 'I've started on practice squad at Calgary, so I kind of understand this role,' said Carey, who spent part of the 2018 season on the Stampeders' practice roster. 'I'm excited and can't wait to touch that field and show everybody what I can do again.
CTV News
2 days ago
- Sport
- CTV News
‘I just wanted to be a part of it': Riders' Carey getting used to new colours
Ka'Deem Carey recently became a member of the Saskatchewan Roughriders after becoming a free agent this season. (Jacob Carr / CTV News) Tuesday marked Ka'Deem Carey's first practice as a member of the Saskatchewan Roughriders. Carey became a free agent after being released by the Toronto Argonauts this season, and the Riders were quick to scoop the 32-year-old CFL veteran up. Before registering over 1,000 yards rushing last season and helping the Argos to a Grey Cup Championship, Carey spent 2019-2023 with the Calgary Stampeders. This created an overlap with many of the current Riders' coaches and players, including Head Coach Corey Mace, so Carey said joining the team was a no-brainer. 'When free agency was going, I was in big talks with Mace, he made it very, very easy. We have a lot of relationships in the past, [Marc] Mueller, everybody over here, [Jameer] Thurman, it was just very simple. I saw the team play last week and the way they were clicking and the way they were looking, I just wanted to be a part of it,' Carey said. Ka'Deem Carey Ka'Deem Carey recently became a member of the Saskatchewan Roughriders after becoming a free agent this season. (Jacob Carr / CTV News) Mace told CTV News that bringing in a player with Carey's pedigree will only make the locker room stronger. 'Yeah, I think everybody understands the player that he is. He's won championships, you can't have too many people in the building like that who can push the message of what it looks like to win.' Carey's first practice as a member of the green and white reaffirmed his desire to play for Saskatchewan, albeit it in a smaller role than he had in Toronto. 'They have chemistry, performance, Trevor Harris. I just went out in practice, and he was spinning that ball, that looks great. And then you have AJ Ouellette, everything is just falling into place. I just feel like I can be a piece that can be vocal, anything that gets this team over that last hump,' Carey said. Mace relayed that Carey will be placed on the team's practice roster, as starting running back AJ Ouellette participated in practice after leaving Thursday's game with a head injury. Regardless of who suits up in the backfield on gamedays, the Riders know they have a talent-laden running back room. 'That running back room, we can say we're the best in the league now officially. So, we're just going to ride and push each other, if [AJ] gets banged up, I get banged up, we're here as a running back group to be the best in the league,' Carey said.
National Post
2 days ago
- Sport
- National Post
Injury update as Roughriders return to practice ahead of Week 2 matchup in Hamilton
The Saskatchewan Roughriders had a new running back on the field as the team returned to practice, but it was incumbent A.J. Ouellette getting reps with the starting offence. Article content After Ouellette suffered a head injury in last Thursday's Week 1 victory against the Ottawa Redblacks, the Roughriders signed veteran CFL running back Ka'Deem Carey, who was released by the Toronto Argonauts following training camp this year. Article content Article content Article content However, ahead of Tuesday's practice, Ouellette cleared concussion protocol and appears ready to play this week when Saskatchewan (1-0) visits the Hamilton Tiger-Cats (0-1) on Saturday (5 p.m., TSN, CTV) in Week 2 of the CFL season. Article content 'For us, you want to err on the side of the player, so he went through the process,' Roughriders head coach Corey Mace said on Tuesday when the Riders resumed practice inside the AffinityPlex due to smoky conditions in Regina. 'He feels A1; passed everything you need to pass and he's ready to go. Article content 'We're in a long week which allows the timeline to be able to return to play. But they've got to (monitor) their symptoms and then go through a bunch of tests and then make sure that they can pass, which he's been able to do. So that's been plus.' Article content With Ouellette, a limited participant Tuesday, on track to play this week, Carey — a three-time CFL divisional all-star who racked up 1,060 yards with the Argos last year before being a surprise training camp cut — will be put on the practice roster. Article content 'When you love football, you love football,' Carey said on Tuesday after his first practice with the team. 'When I saw this team play, man, it was an easy yes to join some something going on, because I could see something going on from the outside looking in. And I just want to be part of something great that's happening right now.' Article content Article content Meanwhile running back Thomas Bertrand-Hudon, who scored two touchdowns in relief of Ouellette against Ottawa, was limited with a groin injury on Tuesday. Article content 'He'll be back throughout the season, it's just a matter of when,' Mace said of Schaffer-Baker. 'I don't want to put a true timeline on that, but it'll be a little bit.'
CTV News
3 days ago
- Sport
- CTV News
Riders sign 1,000-yard rusher Ka'Deem Carey
Toronto Argonauts head coach Ryan Dinwiddie, left, celebrates with teammate Ka'Deem Carey (25) during second half CFL football action at the 111th Grey Cup against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, in Vancouver, B.C., Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette The Saskatchewan Roughriders announced the signing of running back Ka'Deem Carey on Monday, after opening the season with a home win over Ottawa last Thursday. The signing was first reported by TSN's Dave Naylor, the team then confirmed it on Monday. Carey rushed for 1,060 yards and seven touchdowns in 2024 with the Toronto Argonauts — third best in the CFL. He also recorded 37 receptions for 356 yards and a touchdown, and recorded 79 yards and a touchdown in Toronto's Grey Cup win over Winnipeg last November. Before joining the Argonauts, Carey spent four seasons with the Calgary Stampeders, where he led the CFL in rushing in 2021 and 2022. Carey is also a three-time divisional all-star and a 2022 CFL all-star. He also spent parts of three seasons with the NFL's Chicago Bears, playing in 37 games. Along with Carey, the Riders also confirmed the signings of linebacker Braxton Hill and offensive lineman Darius Washington. Hill spent four weeks with the Riders last fall as a member of the club's expanded practice roster and attended training camp with the team in 2025, the Riders said. Washington attended rookie mini-camp with the Denver Broncos after spending six seasons at Florida State. The Riders next action comes Saturday in Hamilton.
National Post
3 days ago
- Sport
- National Post
The Big Question: What are the Saskatchewan Roughriders doing about their injuries?
Ka'Deem Carey is the first part of an answer to this week's Big Question about the Saskatchewan Roughriders: Article content Article content An all-star running back who won a Grey Cup last season with the Toronto Argonauts, Carey has joined the Roughriders to fill one of four roster spots left vacant by injuries suffered during Saskatchewan's season-opening, 31-26 victory Thursday over the Ottawa Redblacks. Article content Carey will likely replace starter A.J. Ouellette, who left Thursday's game late in the first quarter after getting hit in the head. Signing Carey was anticipated because Riders head coach Corey Mace used to be an assistant coach with the Calgary Stampeders, where he worked with the veteran running back. Mace was asked about Carey after the Argonauts unexpectedly released him during training camp. Article content 'I'm trying to find a better word, but it's a crappy situation,' Mace said last week. 'Knowing Ka'Deem though, he's a happy-go-lucky guy. I know he's got an unbelievable family back home and, you know, I wouldn't be shocked if he's playing football in the CFL this year.' Article content Although backup running back Thomas Bertrand-Hudon replaced Ouellette admirably, scoring a rushing and a receiving touchdown against Ottawa, the Roughriders are expected to start Carey on Saturday when they visit the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. The Roughriders also need to replace slotback Kian Schaffer-Baker, who limped noticeably on his left leg after getting hurt in the first quarter. Article content Article content Defensive back Rolan Milligan Jr. and offensive lineman Payton Collins also had to be replaced because of in-game injuries. The extent of their injuries will be more evident when the Roughriders return to the practice field Tuesday. Article content Article content Milligan, a CFL all-star who last season was the league's outstanding defensive player, appeared to get knocked out while making a second-quarter tackle. Collins, the left tackle who was playing his first CFL game on an offensive line that had been decimated and reformulated because of pre-season injuries, had a knee twisted during a fourth-quarter offensive play. Article content Veteran receiver Mitch Picton, who replaced Schaffer-Baker, could be called upon again to play slotback while the Roughriders will likely juggle their secondary and offensive line to compensate for the other losses. Article content Rookie DBs Eddie Heckard or Antoine Brooks Jr., each of whom had impressive pre-seasons, could be activated from the practice roster to make their first CFL start. On the offensive line, the Roughriders are hoping Jacob Brammer (back) can return from a one-game stint on the injury list and start at right guard, shifting Trevon Tate back to left tackle and Zack Fry to left guard. Article content
