Injury turns out to be a blessing in disguise for Roughriders linebacker

Nick Wiebe had just a small taste of CFL action last year, playing in just one game because of knee injuries.

This season, the 25-year-old linebacker and former University of Saskatchewan Huskie came into training camp healthy.

"I feel like the buzz is really palpable on the field," Wiebe said after Wednesday's training camp session at Griffiths Stadium in Saskatoon. "There's compete, there's some trash talking, there's nasty stuff too, which is also awesome."

Wiebe spent most of last season working his way back from a knee injury suffered in his last year of university football.

He finally got on the field for the Banjo Bowl against Winnipeg, only to tweak the knee again and end his season.

Wiebe said he learned a lot about himself and the resilience you need to come back from injury.

"I grew up a lot during the process. So yeah, it hurt, but I'm a better man for it now," Wiebe said.

"I think everybody has experiences in their life where they need to grow up and kind of find a way to dig deep and show up every day. And that's what I learned how to do."

The Calgary native played two years of Division 1 football with the Oregon Ducks before transferring to Saskatchewan, where he spent three years with the Huskies.

Despite being with the Riders all of last season, Wiebe still feels like this is his rookie year.

"I didn't play very much last year, just the Banjo Bowl, so I'm kind of getting my feet wet and making sure I get comfortable in the CFL game," he said.

"Then obviously building off that and hoping to dominate as soon as possible."

Riders release 7 players

The Riders released seven players on Wednesday, including former Huskie offensive lineman Noah Zerr.

Zerr had joined the team last year as a free agent and played in 10 games.

Head coach Corey Mace said it was a tough decision to let Zerr go.

"We feel we have really good depth [at offensive line] and it's just just how it rolled for us," Mace said.

"I think now Noah's a good player, man.…  I'm sure he won't be waiting too long [for another team to call him]."

Also let go were punter Joe Couch, defensive backs Nicario Harper and Leon Jones, running back Khalan Laborn, receiver Ty James and defensive lineman Justin Jefferson.

Three players were put on the suspended list: Offensive lineman Julius Buelow, and linebackers Justin Herdman-Reed and his brother Jordan Herdman-Reed.