The Saskatchewan Roughriders have released American defensive lineman Jonathan Woodard to pursue NFL opportunities.
Woodard worked out for the Kansas City Chiefs on Friday, February 4 and New York Giants on Wednesday, January 19. He has signed with the Chiefs, according to 3DownNation insider Justin Dunk.
Following his Riders release to pursue an NFL opportunity, defensive lineman Jonathan Woodard @JVW_3 has signed with the Kansas City Chiefs https://t.co/2wYMR9pTY3#Riders #CFL #Chiefs #ChiefsKingdom #NFL pic.twitter.com/RadnmJs0yv
— Justin Dunk (@JDunk12) February 7, 2022
The 28-year-old is coming off a breakout CFL season during which he recorded 10 sacks, the second-highest total in the league. He played all 14 regular season games during the shortened 2021 season with the Riders, recording 21 defensive tackles and two forced fumbles.
The native of Brentwood, Tenn. also suited up for both the West Semi-Final and the West Final, tallying another four defensive tackles and one sack.
The University of Central Arkansas product was a seventh round, 226th overall selection by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the 2016 NFL Draft. He played with the team for one season and had stints with the Atlanta Falcons (2017), Miami Dolphins (2017-2019), and Buffalo Bills (2019-2020).
Woodard has dressed for six career regular season NFL games, recording 10 total tackles, two tackles for loss, and one sack. He’s earned over $1.6 million playing pro football south of the border.
As per the regulations surrounding the three-down league’s NFL window, the Roughriders retain Woodard’s CFL rights through the 2022 season.
