Amari Henderson had to wait for his opportunity to get back into the starting lineup to begin the 2024 CFL season.
After playing 18 games last season, the defensive back missed the Saskatchewan Roughriders’ first six games.
“I’m blessed. It felt good getting out there,” said Henderson, who made his season debut in the team’s Week 8 loss to the Montreal Alouettes. “We have been playing great so it felt good just being alongside everyone out there.”
He suffered from Achilles tendonitis during training camp and missed all of it and the first few games of the season.
“It was just a weird feeling in my Achilles but I’ve been good,” Henderson said. “It was just a nagging, irritating feeling, that’s really it.”
Henderson will start his third straight game of the season when the Riders take on the Ottawa Redblacks on Thursday. Kickoff for the game is set for 5:30 p.m.
“Practice is good but you need to get in-game reps to get in shape,” Henderson said.
While the Riders gave up over 270 rushing yards in last week’s 42-31 loss to the Edmonton Elks, Henderson said the messaging didn’t change this week.
“Whatever we have to do to get back to 1-0 this week, we just have to put in the work and be focused and disciplined and execute at a high level,” Henderson said.
While Dru Brown has the Redblacks out to a 5-2 record in his first season as a starting CFL quarterback, Henderson said the Riders’ focus has been on themselves.
“That’s the main thing — just focus on us,” Henderson said. “We just have to get back to our brand of football.”
Henderson signed with the Riders in 2022 after spending the 2020 season on the Jacksonville Jaguars practice squad and 2021 with the Minnesota Vikings practice squad.
He went undrafted in 2020 after five seasons with Wake Forest University from 2016-19.
Since joining the CFL, he has dressed for 31 games and has recorded 80 tackles and two interceptions.
“Time goes by fast when you’re having fun. I love coming to work every single day. Coming in here and seeing all the guys’ faces and being in meetings and coming to practice, I don’t take it for granted,” the 26-year-old said. “Three years definitely goes by fast.”
Henderson signed an extension with the Riders after the 2023 season with new head coach Corey Mace being a big reason for him wanting to stay in Saskatchewan.
“The facility is top-notch, the fans are top-notch and I knew what we had in the locker room,” Henderson said. “Just bringing coach Mace and his staff, we already knew what Saskatchewan Roughrider football could be. Coming back, it was an obvious decision for me.”
He said Mace had brought a whole new mentality to the group.
“We play with a whole different tenacity out there,” Henderson said. “I was able to see it from the sidelines so I know everybody was able to see it from the stands. He just brings that different mentality and everyone holds each other accountable and we’re all family.”
The Riders’ defence has attacked the ball with intensity this season, leading the CFL with 22 takeaways thus far.
“Just seeing what they were doing in the six games that I didn’t play, it was just amazing,” Henderson said. “I couldn’t wait to get out there and contribute with the guys so it’s amazing what we are doing this far.”
“The sky is the limit for us, we just need to continue to push forward and get better each week.”