Bryan Cox Jr. ready to show potential with Riders in 2nd CFL season

It meant a lot to Bryan Cox Jr. to be back on the football field.

The Saskatchewan Roughriders defensive end missed 12 games last season with an MCL injury.

“It was tough for me. Football is my sanctuary and therapy,” the St. Louis, Mo., product said. “I just feel like not being able to play just took a mental toll on me. Just being back in the game I love, it helps with everything.”

He was able to contribute in a big way in the Riders’ first CFL contest of 2024, stripping the Edmonton Elks quarterback of the football and recovering late in the fourth quarter which led to a game-sealing touchdown in the team’s 29-21 win.

“I was just doing my job,” Cox Jr. said. “I missed a lot of time last year so I feel like the fan base and everybody didn’t get to see what I could do as a whole piece of work.

“Now it’s just about coming back and proving what I can do.”

When he saw the ball hit the ground at Commonwealth Stadium, he said only one thing went through his mind.

“Grab it. That was the main thing,” Cox Jr. “Next time if I could do it differently, I would like to pick it up and run for a touchdown and seal it even further.”

He will look to build off of that momentum in Week 2 when the Riders take on the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell on Sunday. Kickoff for the game is set for 5 p.m.

Cox Jr. spent time in the NFL with the Carolina Panthers (2017-19), Cleveland Browns (2019), Buffalo Bills (2020-21) and briefly signed a deal with the Indianapolis Colts (2021).

He recorded two sacks in eight games played with the Green and White.

He joined the Riders last season and is now looking to make more of an impact in his second year in Canada.

“As a pro athlete, you want to be able to play the game you love and do the things you love to do at the highest level,” Cox Jr. said.

Head coach Corey Mace, who was a teammate of Mitchell’s in Calgary and then on the coaching staff there as well, knows they have their work cut out for them to get pressure on the veteran.

“He’s been around some brilliant minds and he has been one himself,” Mace said. “There’s not a ton you can throw at him that he hasn’t seen. It’s going to be a challenge.”

Notes: Along with defensive back Rodney Clemons (Achilles), linebacker Jameer Thurman (chest) and offensive tackle Jermarcus Hardrick (ankle) did not participate in practice. Mace wasn’t concerned by their absence. “Just some maintenance stuff and getting some different looks,” Mace said. “Everyone will be fine and available for the game. Nothing crazy.”