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Saskatchewan Roughriders defensive back Rolan Milligan only played two games in 2026 due to injuries. (Image Credit: Saskatchewan Roughriders)
Getting healthy

Rolan Milligan focused on getting healthy for 2027, wants to return to Saskatchewan

Nov 4, 2026 | 3:00 PM

Saskatchewan Roughriders defensive back Rolan Milligan is focused on getting ready for 2027 after a frustrating 2026 CFL campaign that only saw him appear in two games due to injuries.

“Just trying to get back out there more than anything,” Milligan said. “I still have a lot of ball left in me. Everybody around the league knows that. The biggest thing is to get healthy.”

The CFL’s 2024 Most Outstanding Defensive Player suffered a shoulder injury in the team’s first game against the B.C. Lions. He returned in Week 8 against the Edmonton Elks but after that game he suffered a knee injury in practice.

He said he didn’t think it would turn into the season-ending injury it eventually became, but surgery was required.

“Just making a routine break on the ball. It didn’t feel like anything crazy, to be honest,” Milligan said.

“After the MRI confirmed it, it was kind of a weird feeling, to be honest. I wasn’t really down about it. Just kind of in shock, almost, but once I knew what it was, it was getting over the surgery and the first couple of weeks and then getting to the rehab.”

He said that with the approximate timeline he was given, he could be ready in time for the end of training camp.

“I want to make sure I am completely out there and ready to go before I just go out there onto the field,” Milligan said.

With Milligan out, the defensive halfback spot was a revolving door, with Juju Hughes, Jonathan Edouard, Nelson Lokombo, and Marcus Sayles all starting games at the position this season.

The Riders’ season came to an end in the CFL West Semifinal at the hands of the Lions, and quarterback Nathan Rourke had a number of big plays in the 33-26 B.C. win.

That meant the next day, the Riders and Milligan were clearing out their lockers as their time together came to an end for the year.

“You feel bad for your guys. I wasn’t out there playing. They physically have to go through it and mentally go through it,” Milligan said. “I’m hoping for the best for them as they go through the game, but the disappointment that they have to feel in that moment, it sucks.”

Milligan is a pending free agent, but said he hopes to remain with Saskatchewan, where he has spent his entire six-season CFL career.

“This is where I want to be at. I don’t want to go anywhere else. I have expressed that to everyone in the building, so we will see what happens,” Milligan said.

Saskatchewan will play host to the 2027 Grey Cup.