Roughriders sign veteran linebacker to contract extension

Larry Dean didn’t play a down for the Saskatchewan Roughriders in 2021, but the CFL team obviously saw enough to sign the linebacker to a contract extension.

The Roughriders announced the transaction Thursday, five days before the 33-year-old product of Tifton, Ga., could have become a free agent.

Saskatchewan went into the off-season with 50 players who could have become free agents. The team has re-signed 21 of those players and released two, leaving 27 players still unsigned.

Dean signed with the Roughriders as a free agent in 2021, but tore an Achilles during a workout in July.

In the release Thursday announcing his signing, the Roughriders said Dean “remained in Saskatchewan throughout the season to support his teammates and to rehabilitate his injury.”

Before joining the Roughriders, the 6-foot-0, 226-pounder had stints in Hamilton and Edmonton. He’s a three-time divisional all-star, was the East Division’s nominee for most outstanding defensive player in 2018, and was Edmonton’s nominee for most outstanding defensive player in 2019.

He has played in 72 regular-season games in the CFL, recording 365 tackles, eight special-teams stops, six sacks, three interceptions, 16 pass knockdowns and five forced fumbles.