Saskatchewan Roughriders defensive back Seyi Oladipo Jr. is nearing a return to the lineup after his standout rookie campaign was derailed by injury. After missing the last four games with a shoulder injury, he has returned to practice this week and appears poised to return Saturday against the Edmonton Elks. “I’m just trying to get back playing with the guys and get us back in the win column,” Oladipo told reporters earlier this week. “They got [back in] without me and, honestly, that’s the best part. Watching the guys grind every week, giving their best effort and seeing it encouraged me and helped me have some motivation to get back.” Oladipo first arrived at Rider training camp this spring an immediately caught the eyes of the coaching staff with a team-high five tackles in a preseason game on May 23. While he began the season on the practice roster, team circumstances thrust Oladipo onto the special teams unit. His performances continued to impress and he was given more opportunity, eventually landing his first career start on defence in Week 13 against Toronto – making three tackles. On Labour Day against Winnipeg, Oladipo’s number 35 was all over the field. The rookie nickel back made six tackles, including a sack and knocked down a pass destined for the endzone. A week later in the rematch, Oladipo added another three tackles, knocked down another pass and eventually notched his first career interception as well. However, it came at a cost, when he injured his shoulder and has not been back on the field since. “I just got rolled up on,” Oladipo described. “Then we grinded and got back.” Riders head coach Corey Mace highlighted Oladipo’s football IQ and hard work when describing his rookie DB. “He’s an intellectual kid and works his tail off is what kind of stuck out as soon as he got here for us,” Mace said. “He was biding his time until he got his opportunity and earned his bones on special teams and then got out there and was a magnet for us.” Now working his way back into the lineup, Oladipo could be a key piece for the Riders’ looming playoff run. “I’m incredibly impressed at how he attacked his rehab too, as a rookie,” added Mace. “He put in a lot of work to try and get back on the field and I’m pleased with him.” Oladipo credited the work his coaches have put into him for his early success. “The way the season has progressed, shout out to my coaches, me taking the coaching and continue to get better every week has shown up in the production,” he said. “The production has increased as I’ve taken more coaching and it’s in different ways every week.” Still, Oladipo and the Riders’ defence have their eyes set on Edmonton ahead of them this week first. A win in Saturday’s tilt keeps Saskatchewan out west for the Grey Cup playoffs, but a loss sends them East. Even with the Elks resting several starters, including starting quarterback Cody Fajardo, Oladipo’s focus is not changing. “There is no losing option because you get to play such and such, we’re not trying to play the brackets; we just want to win,” he said. With Fajardo taking this week off, Edmonton is expected to start backup Taylor Powell. “Everyone’s a professional athlete and you have to give them the respect they deserve,” added Oladipo.
