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He was signed again Aug. 17 and is set to get his chance Friday.

“It’s a task being patient, but I made the change (to football) and I knew it was going to take a lot of patience and perseverance, so that’s what I’ve been doing,” Criswell said. “Coach Jones stays on me every day just to stay focused and (saying) my time could be coming at any time. Look what happened.”

The Roughriders have put Leonard on the six-game injured list, so Criswell is poised to take his spot in Saskatchewan’s rotation along the defensive line.

Even though Leonard is tied with Corvey Irvin for the team lead with three sacks, Criswell doesn’t feel any pressure to produce in Leonard’s absence.

“There are no expectations,” Criswell said. “I’m just going out there free-minded. I’m replacing a big part of the defence, but I’m just trying to fill in and do my part.”

Ese Mrabure feels the same way.

The 23-year-old product of Mississauga, Ont., was on Saskatchewan’s roster for five straight games before missing its contest Aug. 13 against the Calgary Stampeders.

The D-lineman returned to the lineup for Saturday’s game in Hamilton and could start Friday’s game as the Roughriders try to balance the import ratio.

Unlike Criswell, Mrabure does feel some stress. He was a first-round pick of the B.C. Lions in the 2015 CFL draft and, after being cut by B.C. and signed by Saskatchewan at the tail end of training camp this season, he’s eager to live up to expectations.

“I didn’t feel like I really put out my best work last year, so how everything happened in training camp this year with B.C. and then getting my opportunity out here, there’s a tremendous amount of pressure,” Mrabure said.

“But as the weeks go by, I’m learning to really hone in and control that pressure and keep it from being a negative thing. I’m using it as a positive thing now.”

ihamilton@postmedia.com

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