‘Going to be fun’: Riders prepare for return of Willie Jefferson

A major test and a familiar face await the Saskatchewan Roughriders’ offence in the Labour Day Classic.

Defensive end Willie Jefferson will play the Green and White for the first time since signing with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in February. Kickoff for the Labour Day Classic at Mosaic Stadium is set for Sunday at 1 p.m.

Jefferson dominated the game against the Edmonton Eskimos on Friday, registering three sacks, four tackles, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery in Winnipeg’s 34-28 win. He was named the CFL’s most outstanding performer for August.

“He’s a hell of an athlete,” Roughriders offensive tackle Thaddeus Coleman said following Thursday’s practice at Mosaic Stadium. “He’s a great pass-rusher and he can drop back and get interceptions.

“He’s a guy we have to get our hands on him and keep them on him.”

Jefferson played three seasons in Saskatchewan. His best one was 2018, when he registered 10 sacks, two interceptions, two forced fumbles and two touchdowns. Up until this season, Coleman has always been a teammate of Jefferson’s in the CFL, dating back to their days as members of the Eskimos.

Coleman doesn’t expect much trash-talking when the two meet up in the game.

“He has always been respected by most guys because he doesn’t talk too much trash, he just plays ball,” Coleman said. “He’s a good guy but it’s going to be a battle this week and it’s going to be interesting. We’ve been teammates all our career and now we’re going to go out there and battle and see who’s better.

“In practice, you’re not trying to knock each other’s heads off and now we are, so it’s going to be interesting and it’s going to be fun.”

The Roughriders’ offensive line is one of the league’s best despite dealing with a rash of injuries and roster decisions through the first half of the season. The team has given up the second-fewest number of sacks (12) in the CFL.

The group has also led the way for the Roughriders’ rushing attack, which tops the league with 14 rushing touchdowns.

The Roughriders are also looking to continue to take care of the ball, which might be a tough thing to do against the Bombers’ formidable defence.

The Roughriders have thrown only seven interceptions and lost four fumbles through the first nine weeks. Winnipeg leads the CFL in takeaways, intercepting opposing quarterbacks 14 times while adding 10 fumble recoveries.

Roughriders slotback Naaman Roosevelt said the offensive group wants to continue to be physical this week.

“It’s not just about execution but it’s about getting after (the opposing defence) and making it hard on them,” Roosevelt said.

Roosevelt is also looking forward to the chance to play Jefferson, who was his teammate for three seasons.

“He brings a lot of energy to the game which is fun and he’s going to try and do what he does,” Roosevelt said. “I know he’s going to be extra excited to come here and make a couple of big plays.

“I’m going to try and get under his skin a lot and try to mess with him a little bit.”

Notes: Defensive lineman Micah Johnson looked “a lot better” at practice Thursday, according to head coach Craig Dickenson. Dickenson said Johnson, who missed the previous two games with an ankle injury, will be a game-time decision … The Green Zone pre-game show is to get underway Sunday at 11 a.m.