‘Different energy’: A.C. Leonard activated by Riders following multiple suspensions

The Saskatchewan Roughriders have activated defensive lineman A.C. Leonard for Week 9 after he missed the team’s last three games while serving multiple suspensions.

Leonard was initially suspended for two games after he failed to provide a sample for drug testing plus one additional game due to verbal abuse and unacceptable behaviour towards the doping control officers.

“I’m pretty sure he’s going to electrify and try to prove a point,” veteran defensive back Ed Gainey said.

The suspension was implemented immediately, making Leonard ineligible to play in Week 6 against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers or Week 7 against the Toronto Argonauts and Week 8 against the B.C. Lions. The Riders went 2-1 with Leonard out of the lineup, losing 33-9 to their prairie rivals in the Banjo Bowl.

“We’ll have a good visit with A.C. and have him play within himself. He can’t make up for those three games, but what he can do is have his best one game and hopefully that’s against Calgary,” head coach Craig Dickenson said.

“He plays fast, he’s very explosive, he’s very athletic. He’s going to be super motivated to have a good game and we’ll probably have to dial him back. They are going to try to hard count him and use his excitement and anticipation to make mistakes by jumping off-sides.”

Leonard is in his sixth CFL season and his fourth with the Green and White. He re-joined Saskatchewan for the 2019 season after spending 2018 with the Ottawa Redblacks. He played in 17 games in 2019, collecting 44 defensive tackles, 10 tackles for loss, nine quarterback sacks and three forced fumbles.

“He brings a spark to the defence. He’s a very dynamic defensive lineman. He can rush the passer and he can run those running backs down if they break out,” Gainey said.

“Honestly, he just brings a different energy to the defence. It’s just a different atmosphere, especially for the young guys, they are more comfortable.”

The 29-year-old takes the field at McMahon Stadium versus a Stampeders offensive line that has allowed the fewest number of sacks in the CFL so far in 2021.