Glenn sets up return of Hamilton teammate

Quarterback Kevin Glenn played a key role in the return of a returner.

It was Glenn who told the Saskatchewan Roughriders’ brass about Marcus Thigpen’s interest in returning to football. There was a connection because Glenn and Thigpen both hail from Detroit and were Hamilton Tiger-Cats teammates in 2010 and 2011.

A series of injuries placed the Riders in the market for a returner. On Tuesday, Thigpen was added to the practice roster and is expected to be activated for Friday’s game in Hamilton.

“It was a conversation that we were having,’’ Glenn said Wednesday. “I knew our situation here and I knew that he wanted to continue playing. I was like a matchmaker. I’ve done that a couple of times in my career as far as bringing guys in and building a relationship between management and player.’’

Thigpen’s CFL career started in 2009 when he was on the Riders’ practice roster. He was released after training camp in 2010 and then signed with the TigerCats.

He made an immediate impact, scoring two specialteams touchdowns in his debut with the Tiger-Cats.

Thigpen, who wasn’t available to the media on Wednesday, went on to become the first player in CFL history to score a touchdown five different ways in one season. He scored on a kickoff return, punt return, missed field goal return, running play and reception.

After the 2011 season, Thigpen embarked on a journey through the NFL that included stints with the Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Buffalo Bills, Indianapolis Colts and Oakland Raiders. Thigpen, 31, had been out of football since being released by the Bills in 2015.

“He always has been a track guy, so he’s always staying in shape and running around,’’ Glenn said. “I expect to see some good things from him because he’s not that far removed, like a year and a half, from playing.’’