The Winnipeg Blue Bombers have agreed to terms on a one-year contract extension with American defensive back Mercy Maston, who was scheduled to become a free agent next week.
The 29-year-old returns to the Blue Bombers for a third season after suffering a torn Achilles tendon injury in training camp and spending all of 2021 on the injured list.
The five-foot-eleven, 208-pound defender signed with Winnipeg in August 2019 following an NFL stint with the Philadelphia Eagles and dressed for two games before being injured. He returned to the lineup late in the year and started at strong-side linebacker for the regular season finale and three playoff games where he racked up 13 tackles, one sack, and an interception.
Prior to joining the Blue Bombers, Maston played two seasons with Edmonton (2017-18), recording 57 tackles and two interceptions in 19 games. He was released to pursue NFL opportunities in January 2019 and signed with the Philadelphia Eagles, though he did not make the final roster.
Winston Rose and Deatrick Nichols, two of Winnipeg’s starting defensive backs from the 2021 Grey Cup run, were already under contract for next season. Brandon Alexander, Nick Taylor, and Alden Darby are still set to hit the open market, while DeAundre Alford signed with the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons.
