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Saskatchewan Roughriders Nick Wiebe is grateful for the coaching staff and organization to stand by him through his first season and a bit as a pro.
The second-year linebacker was drafted by the CFL club in the second round (12th overall) in the 2024 draft despite the University of Saskatchewan Huskie suffering a serious knee injury in the 2023 Canada West playoffs.
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He missed most of last season recovering from that injury, making his CFL debut on Sept. 7 against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
During practice the next week, he suffered another knee injury that ended his season.
“It wasn’t a whole bunch of fun. It was a nine-month recovery to get back for that Winnipeg game and then to have it crumble a little bit in a sense in front of you when you first get back, it’s not a fun experience. It was not enjoyable but I had a lot of good people in my corner to help me get through it,” the Calgary, Alta. product said.
Now he’s back and has been able to become a key contributor for the team.
“I owe this front office and coaching staff everything for my pro career at this point,” Wiebe said. “They took a chance on me, drafting me as high as they did with the knee injury. It means everything that they have been so patient up to this point in this process as well and just work with me and make sure I am healthy before I get out there.”
There was also a scare for Wiebe this season as he once again suffered a knee injury as well. Luckily, it only kept him out for a game.
“I think it was more of a scare in a sense. Just planted, tweaked it wrong and it was the same knee the traumatic injuries have happened on,” Wiebe said. “It was a more proactive one-game and just take it off and make sure the knee is good and got those MRIs and and nonsense done.
“Just tweaked it up a bit but threw the brace back on it so we are all good now.”
The 26-year-old currently leads the Riders with 12 special-teams tackles. He will look to help the Riders beat the Montreal Alouettes and clinch a playoff spot. Kickoff for the game is set for 5 p.m. The Green Zone pregame show begins at 3 p.m.
“It’s been awesome. Guys have helped me along the way. It’s pseudo my rookie year to an extent,” Wiebe said. “Having guys like Jayden Dalke and A.J. Allen and Benoit Marion to help me along when I ask questions or need help technique-wise or anything like that, those guys have been instrumental in where I am at right now and getting me up to speed to where I can play at a high-level.”
One thing he has had to learn is to be patient as the former U Sports standout waits for an opportunity to make his first career start.
“Last year with (Jameer Thurman), I basically followed him around with a notepad just to see what being a pro looks like. Having guys in the locker room like that is huge but the patience is a massive part of playing in the CFL,” Wiebe said.
Linebacker C.J. Reavis fined for hit on Bombers’ Collaros
Riders linebacker C.J. Reavis has been fined due to a hit on Winnipeg Blue Bombers quarterback Zach Collaros in the Riders’ 21-13 win in the Banjo Bowl.
Reavis came in off a blitz and hit Collaros hard on the pass-rush. Collaros had to leave the game following the hit and did not return.
The hit wasn’t originally deemed an infraction but after a challenge by Bombers head coach Mike O’Shea, it was deemed there was contact with the head of Collaros and a roughing the passer call was made.
