Reavis returns to Riders’ training camp after hamstring injury

After missing the first part of training camp, C.J. Reavis is ready to roll for the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

“It was just a little hamstring injury, nothing too crazy,” the 28-year-old strongside linebacker said after a training camp practice at Mosaic Stadium.

“I’m feeling great. I love practicing – I love reps.”

Reavis had a breakout year last season with the CFL club despite the fact he wasn’t one of the team’s starters for much of the season.

Primarily backing up Derrick Moncrief, Reavis had a productive season with 59 tackles, three sacks, an interception and three forced fumbles.

He signed a contract extension in the offseason.

But Reavis isn’t resting on his laurels just because he performed in 2023.

“I think last year is last year, I don’t think about it too much,” Reavis said.

“I’m ready to show what I can do this year as well.”

Riders head coach Corey Mace, who is also the team’s defensive coordinator this season, is glad to have the Chester, Va., product back on the field.

“It was good – we finally got him out there. Guys were giving him the gears,” Mace said. “It’s everything that you’ve seen from last year – a lot of energy, a versatile player and able to make plays. It’s just more and more reps will help him for the time that he missed.”

Mace also believes he could take the next step and become even more productive.

“He has the ability to get the ball and then from a coverage aspect, he has a great ability to blitz, and we know he can tackle as well,” Mace said. “He has all the intangibles to be a really good player. It’s just a matter of putting those reps together, taking it to the field and executing when his time comes.

The offseason brought a few changes for Reavis on the football field.

He is sporting a new number this year: #1, which was his number in college. He has previously worn 22 and 33 since arriving in the league.

“I hope I can stay as #1 for a little while,” Reavis said.

Also, coming in as one of the team’s incumbent starters means he has a different mentality coming into the season.

“Just more focused. More dialed and more in a leadership role than I was last year,” Reavis said. “It’s a good challenge for myself that I am ready to take on.

“It’s funny because I feel like I just got here two days ago, and now I’m slightly a veteran. It’s cool to see the new guys come in and show them this game is just football –- it’s a little faster, there’s some movement going on — but it’s just football at the end of the day.”

The deadline for final cuts in the CFL is Saturday.

Saskatchewan opens its season on June 8 in Edmonton against the Elks.