The Ottawa Redblacks have suspended eight players ahead of training camp.
American receiver Ervin Philips, defensive lineman Frank Beltre, defensive back Shamarko Thomas, and defensive back Jonathan Alston were suspended, though no reason was given as to why.
Beltre is the biggest name of the bunch as he’s a five-year CFL veteran who has spent stints with the Calgary Stampeders and Toronto Argonauts. He has recorded 110 total tackles with five sacks and three forced fumbles and was pencilled-in as a potential starter at defensive end.
Thomas is a relatively big name as well as he was a fourth-round selection of the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2013 NFL Draft. In 66 career NFL games, he made 69 tackles, two tackles for loss, forced one fumble, and recovered one fumble.
The three nationals who Ottawa suspended are offensive lineman Alex Fontana, offensive lineman Daniel Omara, and linebacker Christophe Mulumba-Tshimanga. Fontana has already informed the team that he does not plan to play this season, while Omara was signed just last week.
Mulumba-Tshimanga will be a big loss for the team if he elected not to play in 2021. The 28-year-old recorded 53 defensive tackles, 34 special teams tackles, five sacks, and four forced fumbles over three season with the Edmonton Elks and has experience as a starter.
The eighth player that Ottawa suspended was Global receiver Tony Anderson.
According to Postmedia‘s Tim Baines, the Redblacks also released quarterback Chase Litton. The passer has previously has stints with the Kansas City Chiefs and Jacksonville Jaguars of the NFL and the Seattle Dragons and Tampa Bay Vipers of the XFL.
To read our Ottawa Redblacks training camp preview, click here.
