Riders defence bracing for challenge of Stampeders RB Dedrick Mills

The Saskatchewan Roughriders will look to contain one of the best running backs in the CFL this week.

Dedrick Mills led the league last season with 1,409 yards last season. He’s already off to a stellar start to the 2026 campaign as well, as the Calgary Stampeders rusher had 112 yards and a touchdown in his Week 1 contest against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

“I like Dedrick. He’s one of my favourite running backs in the league. I like his pad-level and his grunt — he likes to run the ball and talk trash and that’s my favourite running back, I ain’t going to lie to you,” said Riders linebacker Antoine Brooks Jr., who had 13 tackles in the team’s Week 2 win over the B.C. Lions.

“He has all the moves and all the packages. He can run, he can catch and he can come out and block. That’s the type of running back I like. I can’t wait to see him.”

With how dynamic of a rusher Mills can be, the entire defence will need to work together to stop him.

“(Defensive backs) have to make sure we’re a part of the run game. He’s going to be able to make his plays — he’s a great, powerful runner — and we have to make sure we show up in the box,” said defensive back Marcus Sayles.

“We can’t give him any open gaps or any leakage out on the edge because he likes those stretch runs so we have to make sure we show up in the run game.”

Kickoff for the game is set for 5 p.m. The Green Zone pregame show begins at 3 p.m.

Mills isn’t the only member of the Stamps the Riders need to account for, as Vernon Adams Jr. presents a unique challenge for any defence he faces. The veteran quarterback had 239 yards in the air with a passing touchdown to go along with 48 rushing yards and a touchdown on the ground.

“Vernon’s a great quarterback. He’s one of those quarterbacks that can get out (of the pocket) and still look up — not a lot of quarterbacks can do that,” Brooks Jr. said.

“We have to just focus on containing them and making sure he doesn’t scramble a lot and look up and throw the vertical. Settle down the explosive plays and we will be fine.”

Saturday’s contest will take place at McMahon Stadium in Calgary, which will play host to the 113th Grey Cup in November. While the Riders will look to be in that final game in Calgary, they are focused on this week and getting a win in their rivals’ stadium.

“They have great fans and for it to be early in the year, they are going to be supporting their team and we want to ruin their party,” Sayles said. “We have a great game plan and had a great week of practice and will be good to go.”

The Riders will be without Rolan Milligan Jr. (shoulder), safety Nelson Lokombo (ankle), linebacker Jayden Dalke (hand), and long-snapper Aaron Crawford (knee). All of them have been ruled out. Jaxon Ford is expected to start at safety with Juju Hughes making his CFL debut in place of Milligan.