Riders’ Dean among CFL’s elite a year after Achilles tear

If there was a CFL comeback player-of-the-year award, Larry Dean might be the frontrunner.

The 34-year-old Saskatchewan Roughriders linebacker missed the entire 2021 season after suffering a torn Achilles a day before training camp was set to open.

But after a lengthy recovery process, Dean has returned in a big way and is one of the CFL’s top defensive players thus far in 2022.

“I have to give thanks to God and just know that this was what I wanted to do,” Dean said. “I got hurt July 8, had surgery July 13 and from that day until middle or early December, me and (strength and conditioning trainer Clinton Spencer) were together every day.”

Dean currently ranks second in the CFL with 103 defensive plays made this season: 84 tackles, five special-teams tackles, three sacks, two forced fumbles, two interceptions, three pass knockdowns and four tackles for a loss.

“I held myself accountable and everything you see now is just a testament to the story,” Dean said. “I heard someone say, ‘Turn your test into a testimony,’ and that’s what I’m doing.”

Dean will try to help the Riders get a pivotal win over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on Friday as both teams try to make the playoffs. The Riders have lost eight of their last 10 and went winless in September.

“The guys are down a little bit but we came out and had an energetic practice and we understand what is going on and what’s at stake,” Dean said. “You can’t sit around and sulk about it.”

Kickoff for Friday’s game is set for 5:30 p.m. The Green Zone pre-game show begins at 3 p.m.

The linebacker’s return to form isn’t a surprise to his coaches, who have seen firsthand the work Dean has put in.

“He’s been outstanding and we knew he was a good leader but you didn’t get to see it last year because he was injured,” head coach Craig Dickenson said. “He’s been everything we hoped and more.

“It’s the want-to. (Spencer) has a saying — success leaves clues — and with Larry, you see him in the morning early in the linebacker room watching film (and) you see him working out and getting his body right. There’s a reason he’s been as good as he’s been for so long.”

“It’s his work ethic. I think that’s the biggest thing,” added defensive co-ordinator Jason Shivers. “He knows how to be a pro and he brings that every day. His play on the field is exemplary and it comes from his hard work.”

While overcoming the injury was a journey for Dean, it was just another hurdle he had to overcome in his football career.

He went from being an undrafted free agent to spending five years in the NFL. Dean came to the CFL in 2016 as a member of the Tiger-Cats. He was a CFL East Division all-star in 2017 and ’18 and a West Division all-star in 2019 with Edmonton.

“I was undrafted. Nothing has ever been handed to me so I know what it’s like (to work for everything),” Dean said.

Notes: The Riders announced they have signed global linebacker Jordan Genmark Heath. The 25-year-old product of Sweden attended 2022 rookie mini-camp with the NFL’s Kansas City Chiefs. Genmark Heath played the 2021 season at UCLA, where he started all 12 games at inside linebacker. The former Bruin recorded 55 tackles, 3 1/2 sacks, two fumble recoveries and one interception. He was taken by the Riders in the first round (fifth overall) of the 2022 CFL global draft … On Thursday at 2 p.m., the Roughriders will live-stream a raffle of the orange jerseys they wore before their game Sept. 30 — Truth and Reconciliation Day in Canada. Tailbacks Jamal Morrow and Frankie Hickson will be the hosts of the live stream. Tickets for the raffle can be purchased here and the live stream can be found here.