New Saskatchewan Roughriders’ running back Ka'Deem Carey is not fazed by being on the Green and White practice roster.
"When you love football, you love football. When I saw this team play, it was an easy yes to join something going on. I could see something going on from the outside looking in," Carey said.
"I want to be part of something great that's happening. I started on the practice squad in Calgary, I understand this role. I'm excited, can't wait to touch that field and show everybody what I can do again. But I'm going to be patient because there is another star in front of me. I love to watch him run the ball. It’s exciting to see him run some people over. I'm going to be learning as much as I can and learning the playbook as I'm on the p-squad.”
Starting running back A.J. Ouellette suffered an head injury during the team’s home opener against the Ottawa Redblacks.
"A.J. is a great back. We're going to be trying to pick off each other," Carey said.
"I can learn a lot from him and if he wants to learn anything from me, I'm here. We can say we're the best backs in the league now, officially. We’re going to ride and push each other. He gets banged up, I get banged up, we’re here as a group, as a running back group, to be the best in the league."
Previously, Carey was with the Toronto Argonauts as he helped them win a Grey Cup in 2024. They Double Blue released him among final training camp cuts before the 2025 regular season started.
Relationships with current Riders players and football operations plus the coach staff played a major role in Carey signing with Saskatchewan.
"This was the place where free agency was going on. I was in big talks with him, [Corey Mace] made it very easy. We have had a lot of relationships in the past, [Marc] Mueller and everybody over here, [Jameer] Thurman. It was very simple," Carey said.
"I saw them play on Thursday, the way they were clicking and the way they were looking, I wanted to be a part of it."
Carey initially started in the CFL with the Calgary Stampeders in 2018, he stayed with them until 2023 then went to the Argos. Alongside Mace, Mueller and Thurman, he won a Grey Cup with the Stampeders in 2018.
Mace appreciates the practice roster role Carey is willing to take with the Green and White.
"I think that speaks volumes to what it is that he believes we have going on here," Mace said.
"Him understanding the process of it all, not being afraid to help this team get to where we want to go. All things made sense for everybody."
Mueller pointed out the positive energy Carey brings to the team.
"I think Ka'Deem is a great teammate, guys like to be around him, positive energy. Practices really hard," Mueller said.
"Even when he was on the practice roster in 2018, when we were in Calgary together, he took every single rep of the scout team and did it to the highest level. We’re bringing him here to help make us better in any way that he can, I know that he will."
Riders' quarterback Trevor Harris knows Carey is a welcome addition to the Green and White.
"He's a great running back. He can put his foot on the ground and get up to top speed in a hurry, that's a gift,” Harris said.
"You never know when he's going to be needed. I know A.J. has worked really well with two-headed monsters in his career. I know we have some great running backs spearheaded by No. 45. I'm looking forward to getting to know Ka'Deem as a teammate, welcoming him and helping him fit into the culture. He’s a dynamic running back."
The Roughriders travel to Hamilton to face the Tiger-Cats on Saturday. Catch the pre-game show with Teagan Witko, Justin Dunk and Wes Cates at 2 p.m. which includes exclusive interviews while Dave Thomas and Luc Mullinder have the game call at 5 p.m. You can hear everything on the 620 CKRM Co-operators Rider Broadcast Network.
