The No. 1 question for C.J. Reavis: Why did you switch to No. 1?
“There’s nothing big about it,” the Saskatchewan Roughriders’ front-line strong side-linebacker said after Wednesday’s practice.
“I wore 11 in high school. Then I wore 1 at Marshall University. I didn’t have the career I wanted to have in 1 at Marshall due to some injuries, so now I want to re-do it in green and white.”
Resplendent in No. 22, Reavis enjoyed a breakout season with the Roughriders in 2023. At the time, receiver Jake Wieneke wore No. 1. That number became available when Wieneke was released during the off-season.
“I think 1 is a great number,” Reavis said. “A lot of people would think that wearing 1 is a selfish thing, but it’s not like that at all.
“I’m just one of these guys. It’s not just me. It’s a team thing.”
Reavis was second on the team last season in defensive tackles (59) and total defensive plays (81).
In addition to leading the Roughriders with five tackles for a loss, he contributed three sacks, three forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and one interception.
His performance was especially impressive when you consider that he overcame two Achilles tendon injuries — sustained just six months apart — to become an opening-day starter with Saskatchewan last season.
“I think the word of the year for me is ‘grateful,’ ” Reavis said leading up to Saturday’s regular-season opener against the host Edmonton Elks (2 p.m., TSN, CKRM).
“I’m super-grateful to walk around and practise every day with my family. I’m not taking anything for granted, because I couldn’t walk at all.”
Now he wants to take more strides in 2024.
“I think the people who watched me play know that I play with a lot of passion, but I think it’s going to show even more,” Reavis said.
“I’m just so thankful to be here. I know a lot of guys deserve it, too. I’m just thankful and it’s going to show in my play, for sure.”
Reavis is also grateful to have been one of the six players who were chosen to model the Rider Nation Alt Jerseys when they were unveiled on Thursday night. He stood on stage alongside receivers Shawn Bane Jr. and Kian Schaffer-Baker, quarterback Trevor Harris, running back A.J. Ouellette and defensive back Rolan Milligan Jr.
“I was honoured,” Reavis said. “To be with Trevor, Schaff, A.J., Bane and Milly, they’re all great players, so I want to hold the standard as well.”
That is also the expectation from Corey Mace.
“His personality is exactly what you want,” the Roughriders’ head coach said. “You can tell that he’s a guy who loves the game. He’s always going to do the extra stuff to really get a hand up in what he’s doing and understanding what we’re trying to get done.
“We’ve been really happy with what he has been able to put on the field to this point.”
FROM NO. 1 TO NO. 3
First-year Roughriders receiver KeeSean Johnson wore No. 86 throughout training camp and the pre-season before switching to 3 earlier this week.
The hope is that he will put up much bigger numbers from a statistical standpoint.
Asked about what is expected from Johnson, Coach Mace replied: “Just being the dynamic playmaker that he is.”
Johnson’s abundant skills were evident at Fresno State. Over four years of NCAA football, he caught 275 passes for 3,463 yards and 24 touchdowns.
As a senior in 2018, Johnson leapfrogged Davante Adams and moved into first place on Fresno State’s all-time receptions list.
Over the course of that season, Johnson caught 95 passes (the fourth-best total in the NCAA) for 1,340 yards.
“He comes from a storied background in college,” Mace said. “Now he has switched his number, so I told him, ‘You’ve got single digits now, so you’ve got to make sure you earn it!’ ”
Johnson earned a spot on the Arizona Cardinals’ roster after being selected in the sixth round (174th overall) of the 2019 NFL Draft.
As a rookie, he caught 21 passes for 187 yards and one touchdown. He added 15 receptions for 173 yards the following season.
The NFL cred is unquestioned. Now it is just a matter of mastering the nuances of three-down football.
“For him, it’s about understanding the playbook and getting comfortable with the game up here,” Mace said.
“When the lights come on for him, he’s a baller, so we’re not too worried about it.”
Johnson is poised to see live action for the first time since 2023, when he caught six passes for 59 yards in three pre-season games with the Buffalo Bills.
“It’s going to feel good,” the 6-foot-1, 201-pounder said with a smile. “I’ve been waiting for this day. I had a year off, so I’m ready to go and get back to it.”
INJURY UPDATE
The Roughriders’ latest injury list is identical to the version that was issued 24 hours earlier.
Three veterans — kicker Brett Lauther (hip), defensive halfback Amari Henderson (Achilles) and fullback Bruno LaBelle (leg) — were limited participants in Wednesday’s practice.
Defensive tackle Anthony Lanier II (Achilles) was a full participant for the second day in a row.
Offensive lineman Noah Zerr (thumb), linebacker Nick Wiebe (knee), defensive back Jaxon Ford (wrist) and receiver Dhel Duncan-Busby (hand) did not practise.
One note from the Elks’ injury report: Defensive back Loucheiz Purifoy, a Roughrider from 2018 to 2021, was a full participant in Wednesday’s workout. He had missed Tuesday’s session due to illness.
