Ratio-breaking Canadian linebacker Micah Teitz could be out of the lineup for the Saskatchewan Roughriders when the team kicks off the 2022 season.
According to a report from Murray McCormick of the Regina Leader-Post: “Injury news on Micah Teitz not good; Hip and groin injury could keep him sidelined for a significant time. Larry Dean getting more snaps at WILL with Teitz on sideline.”
Teitz’s health had been a concern since the starting weak-side linebacker left practice gingerly on May 21. His subsequent absence from on-field activities was attributed to an offseason groin injury by head coach Craig Dickenson, but it appears that Teitz will now require more than a few maintenance days to be fully healthy.
The six-foot-two, 225-pound linebacker signed a contract extension with the team this offseason after a breakout season that saw him nominated as the Roughriders’ Most Outstanding Canadian.
In 2021, Teitz stepped into a starting role and played 13 regular-season games for the Riders, making a team-high 64 defensive tackles. He added seven special teams tackles and three sacks, while also suiting up for the West Semi-Final and recording five tackles.
Teitz was selected by the Roughriders in the second round, 14th overall during the 2018 CFL Draft and played in 27 games over the 2018 and 2019 seasons, primarily on special teams.
In his absence, veteran American Larry Dean is likely to assume the weak-side linebacker duties. Dean originally signed with the Roughriders during 2021 free agency but suffered a highly-publicized torn Achilles during post-quarantine field workouts in the lead-up to training camp. That caused him to miss the entire 2021 season, though he remained in Saskatchewan throughout the campaign to support his teammates and rehabilitate his injury.
Prior to coming to the Riders, Dean spent most of his career with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, except in 2019 when he suited up for the Edmonton Elks. The six-foot, 226-pound linebacker 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 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.
