First, it was Malik Carney; then, Jameer Thurman.
The start of a new week brought about those two key signings for the Saskatchewan Roughriders. The Green and White started in the morning by announcing that American defensive lineman Carney has agreed to a one-year contract extension. In the afternoon, the Riders let it be known that American linebacker Thurman was inked to a two-year contract extension through the 2026 season. The six-foot, 230-pound Thurman was a West Division all-star in 2024, his first season in Saskatchewan. The 29-year-old played in 17 regular season games for the Roughriders and started both post-season games. He served as the captain of the defence throughout the 2024 season. Carney, a six-foot-three, 245-pound North Carolina grad played 13 regular season and both playoff games in his first season with the Riders in 2024. Following are the news releases from the Roughriders…..
DATE: January 13, 2025
RELEASE TIME: IMMEDIATELY
RELEASE: SR25-07
WEST ALL-CFL LINEBACKER JAMEER THURMAN INKS TWO-YEAR EXTENSION
The Saskatchewan Roughriders have signed American linebacker Jameer Thurman to a two-year contract extension.
Thurman (6’0-230) remains in Green and White after earning his first career divisional All-CFL season in 2024. The 29-year-old middle linebacker appeared in 17 regular season games for the Roughriders, registering 76 defensive tackles, three tackles for loss, two special teams tackles, one sack, two interceptions – including one he returned 28 yards for a touchdown in Week 3 – one forced fumble, one pass knockdown, and three fumble recoveries. As captain of the defence, Thurman has been instrumental in several game-winning plays, including his critical forced fumble late in Week 7 against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, which allowed the Roughriders to shut down a two-possession game with two and a half minutes left in the fourth quarter, and a late fourth-quarter interception in Week 16 against the Calgary Stampeders. He also started in both postseason games tallying an additional 13 defensive tackles.
Thurman joined the Roughriders in free agency after a strong 2023 season with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, earning 98 defensive tackles and five sacks, while also adding two interceptions, one tackle for a loss, four pass knockdowns, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery.
Prior to signing with the Ti-Cats, Thurman played four seasons (2017-18, 2021-22) with the Calgary Stampeders. He played 64 games as a Stamp, earning 267 defensive tackles, 31 special teams tackles, six sacks, six interceptions and eight forced fumbles. He won a Grey Cup with the Stampeders in 2018. He signed with the Chicago Bears in January 2019 and made 16 tackles in the preseason but was released prior to the start of the season.
DATE: January 13, 2025
RELEASE TIME: IMMEDIATELY
RELEASE: SR25-06
SCOOPED ‘EM: RIDERS EXTEND MALIK ‘SCOOP’ CARNEY
The Saskatchewan Roughriders have signed American defensive lineman Malik Carney to a contract extension.
Carney (6’3-245) re-ups with the Roughriders for the 2025 season after suiting up for 13 regular season games. Carney was a disruptive force along the defensive line, registering 26 defensive tackles, one tackle for loss, four sacks, one forced fumble and one pass knock down. He played in both the Western Semi-Final and Western Final, tallying an additional six defensive tackles, one sack and one pass knockdown in the postseason.
Prior to joining the Roughriders in 2024, Carney spent three seasons with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats (2021-23). He set a career high in tackles (52) in 2023, while adding five sacks, one interception, one forced fumble, one knockdown and four tackles for a loss. Over 41 games in the Hammer, he registered 81 career tackles, five special teams tackles, 13 sacks, one interception and two forced fumbles.
Carney signed with the Detroit Lions as an undrafted free agent following the 2019 NFL Draft. He went on to spend time with both the Seattle Seahawks and Denver Broncos.
Collegiately, the Virginia native spent five seasons at North Carolina (2014-18), appearing 36 games. He tallied 176 defensive tackles (including 33 for a loss), 17 sacks, four pass deflections, nine forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries – one of which he returned for a touchdown. His five forced fumbles in 2018 led the Atlantic Coast Conference.
