There is usually a strong contingent of Saskatchewan Roughrider fans who usually make the trip to Edmonton to watch the green and white.

On Sunday, a special section of fans will be at Commonwealth Stadium to show their support for #38 of the Roughriders, Jayden Dalke.

Nearly 100 of Dalke’s friends and family will be at the Roughriders season opener to watch the former University of Golden Bear, who likely get the start at safety.

“That whole section is really going to be fun, so if you see 38’s and you want to have a good time go over in that area.” said the second-year member of the Roughriders

In the last 13 months since being drafted by Saskatchewan in the sixth round of the 2022 Canadian Football League (CFL) Draft, Dalke has ascended the depth chart.

During his rookie season, the 27-year-old saw action in 18 games, recording 15 defensive tackles at safety and at linebacker. He also picked up 11 special teams tackles.

Dalke utilized his snaps on special teams in 2021 and will now carry out the starters role at safety, replacing Mike Edem.

Head coach Craig Dickenson said Dalke is an example of a series of players on the Roughriders who are poised to take another step in their game in their second year in the league.

“He was good for us last year but now you can see he’s taken the next step on defence.”

Physicality is one of Dalke’s strong traits according to Dickenson.

“He loves football and he loves to hit, anytime you see a guy flying around the field hitting people, making plays, you know he’s going to be a pretty good football player.”

The Leduc, Alberta product felt that his season got off to a good start in training camp.

“I got to see some of Saskatoon and just got to know a lot of the guys and overall I thought we had a good group out so it was fun. a good time.”

Dalke had to earn his position over the last month at training camp, with fellow Canadians Nelson Lokombo and Jaxon Ford all receiving reps at the safety position in Saskatoon. All three players remained on the roster following the final roster cutdown day last weekend. Dalke was happy to spend time with the other safeties.

“It was competitive for sure, but it was great just to get close with Jaxon (Ford) and Nelly (Lokombo) through the whole process.”

In a brief appearance on Friday night in Winnipeg, Dalke made his presence felt with a tackle at the line of scrimmage during the preseason finale against the Blue Bombers. The safety feels the Roughriders defensive scheme allows him to make plays all over the field.

“It’s great that Shivs (Shivers) gives us the freedom to play around with our alignments, with our position and we don’t have to be locked in like robots or anything like that.”

He also noted it was nice to register a stat in Winnipeg.

“I was happy to, you know get a little TFL (tackle for a loss) and lay a hit on somebody, it felt great.”

There is another reason Sunday’s game will have special significance for Dalke. His father, Ryan, will be celebrating his birthday on Sunday. The Roughriders safety will be to try and add the icing to the birthday cake against the Elks.

“Go back home, deliver a win, see my dad for his birthday.”

Practice Notebook

•  Wide receiver Brayden Lenius is not expected to be in the lineup on Sunday against Edmonton. Lenius was not a participant in practice on Thursday. The injury report listed the receiver was out due to a lower back injury.
• Dickenson said that Philip Blake is battling a pectoral strain and the status for Blake to play on Sunday is questionable. The Riders head coach believes it’s a 50-50 shot for Blake to be in the lineup against Edmonton. Brandon Council took the snaps at left tackle with the first-team offence at practice over the last couple of days
• Mason Fine took the backup quarterback snaps on Thursday, but Dickenson was not ready to name a backup at quarterback following practice.
• Earlier in the day, the Roughriders announced the signings of three territorial juniors from the Regina Thunder to the teams’ practice roster: defensive lineman Max Parkinson, offensive lineman Riley Schick, and wide receiver Isaiah Woodley.