The wait continues for Vernon Adams Jr.

Vernon Adams Jr., whetted his appetite Friday.

The Saskatchewan Roughriders’ third-string quarterback ran the CFL team’s offence for 17 plays during a 37-12 victory over the visiting Montreal Alouettes — the most playing time he had received since Saskatchewan acquired him from Montreal on Aug. 15.

The 24-year-old product of Pasadena, Calif., was grateful for the chance to play extended minutes as part of the Roughriders’ quarterback rotation in that game, but he’d like even more time. However, he knows that likely isn’t going to happen.

“It’s just the competitor in me wanting to play,” Adams admitted after Tuesday’s practice at Mosaic Stadium. “(Kevin Glenn) and (Brandon) Bridge have the rotation that they’ve got going on or else K.G. is on or Bridge is on. They’re doing such a good job that I can’t do anything else but wait my turn and stay patient.

“I’ve talked to Darian (Durant), Bo Levi (Mitchell), Matt Nichols, Mike Reilly — all these veteran guys who I’ve known before the CFL — and they’ve all told me they sat for their first two or three years. That’s just what I have to do.”

Adams spent four seasons at Eastern Washington University, posting a 28-6 record as the Eagles’ starting quarterback. He completed 701 of 1,081 pass attempts for 10,438 yards with 110 touchdowns and 31 interceptions in his career at the school.

In 2013, after his second season as the starter, Adams was named the FCS national performer of the year after throwing for 4,994 yards and 55 TDs and rushing for 605 yards and four majors.

In 2015, Adams played at the University of Oregon and went 7-3-0 as the Ducks’ starter. He was 168-for-259 passing for 2,643 yards with 26 touchdowns and six picks.

In May of 2016, the Alouettes traded their first-round pick in the 2017 CFL draft to the B.C. Lions for Adams’ negotiation rights. The QB had yet to play a down in the league.

Adams signed with Montreal and dressed in 15 regular-season games (with three starts) that season. He completed 42 of 75 pass attempts for 575 yards and four touchdowns and added 29 carries for 112 yards and one major.

On Aug. 15 of this year, Saskatchewan sent cornerback Tevaughn Campbell and a third-round pick in each of the 2018 and 2019 drafts to the Als for Adams and a fifth-round selection in the 2018 draft. And his wait began.

Adams has dressed for 10 games, but he has been on the field in only five contests. He has rushed 12 times for 33 yards and three touchdowns, primarily in short-yardage situations.

“Yeah, I was all this in college, but now I’m in the pros where everybody’s the same — except guys who are getting paid more are probably better,” said Adams, who rushed twice for 14 yards in Friday’s contest. “That’s just the way it is …

“I got here two months ago, so I’m really still grasping the offence and getting it all together. I’ve got it, but I’m not as fast in my head as K.G. is when he’s running the offence. That’s where I need to be. By next year, I’ll be there and it’ll be all good.”

Adams realizes he’s playing behind a starting quarterback who has 17 years of CFL experience and more than 50,000 passing yards under his belt as well as a backup who has been in the Roughriders’ system for a season and a half.

Adams, meanwhile, was tasked immediately after his acquisition with running the short-yardage offence. He feels he has that down pat, but knows there’s more work to do.

“There are things (the coaches) want me to be more consistent with,” Adams said. “In practice, I’m not the most consistent player and I never have been. But when game time comes, I know my assignments.

“It’s just something that I’ve always had a problem with. I’ve never been a great practice player, but when I get in a game, it’s lights out. It’s different.”

Glenn was in Montreal when Adams was there in 2016, so the veteran has seen the youngster grow over the past two seasons. In Glenn’s mind, Adams’ progress is evident both in the meeting room and on the field.

“He has a better understanding of what the defence is doing now and where to go with the ball,” Glenn said. “He’s understanding the game more, too.”

Unfortunately for Adams, he hasn’t had a lot of opportunities to throw the ball with the Roughriders. He’s only 1-for-2 passing for eight yards — and he hasn’t thrown a pass in a game since Sept. 15.

His 17 plays against the Alouettes comprised nine runs by Trent Richardson, three rushes by Greg Morris (one of which was nullified by a penalty), two carries by Chad Owens, two rushes by Adams and one kneeldown by Adams.

The young pivot desperately wants to throw the ball more — “You have no idea,” he said when asked how much — but noted it’s out of his hands.

“First, I’m thinking, ‘Dang, I can’t throw the ball one time?’ ” Adams said in reference to Friday’s game. “But after that, I realized, ‘We’re running the clock out. We don’t need any extra injuries or anything. It’s cold as hell, so let’s get out of here.’

“The competitor in me wants to pass the ball. I want to show everybody what I’ve got because I know what I can do. But that’s how it is.”

And despite myriad talents — Adams often runs routes after practice and also can punt and kick — the 5-foot-11, 200-pounder will have to keep waiting his turn.

“I know I can run this show,” he said. “But I’m paying my dues and I’m having fun with a great team.”