The Saskatchewan Roughriders are looking to get a full season out of veteran import middle linebacker Larry Dean after re-signing him for the 2022 C-F-L season Thursday.

Dean suffered an achilles tendon injury before training camp after signing with the Green and White as a free agent in 2021. Following is the official news release from the Riders…..

DATE:                        February 3, 2022

RELEASE TIME:       IMMEDIATELY

RELEASE:                 SR22-023

ROUGHRIDERS RE-SIGN LINEBACKER LARRY DEAN

The Saskatchewan Roughriders have signed American linebacker Larry Dean to a contract extension.

Dean (6’0-226lbs) has played in 72 CFL games over a career that has spanned five seasons and earned 365 defensive tackles, eight special teams tackles, six sacks, three interceptions, 16 pass knockdowns, five forced fumbles and scored a defensive touchdown. He’s also played in five playoff games.

Dean signed with the Roughriders during 2021 free agency and while an injury kept him off the field, he remained in Saskatchewan throughout the season to support his teammates and to rehabilitate his injury. Prior to coming to the Riders, he spent most of his career with the Tiger-Cats, except 2019 when he suited up for the Edmonton Elks.

Dean is a three-time divisional all-star (2017-19), 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.

Collegiately, the Georgia native attended Valdosta State (2007-2010) and ranks second in VSU history with 358 career tackles. In his senior season, he averaged 11.1 tackles per game and was named Daktronics National Defensive Player of the Year, the South Region Defensive Player of the Year, the Gulf South Conference Defensive Player of the Year and The Valdosta Daily Times’ Defensive Player of the Year.