The Edmonton Elks have signed Canadian defensive lineman Ese Mrabure and released Canadian defensive lineman Stefan Charles and American defensive back Bryce Cheek.
Mrabure joins the Green and Gold after his release from the Ottawa Redblacks earlier this month. The North York, Ontario native was drafted by the B.C. Lions in the first round, fifth overall in 2015 and has played six seasons in the CFL with the Lions, Saskatchewan Roughriders, Calgary Stampeders, and Ottawa Redblacks, recording 43 tackles and six sacks in 57 games.
Collegiately, Mrabure played four seasons (2011-2014) with the Wilfrid Laurier University Golden Hawks.
Charles was originally selected in the second round, 10th overall, by Edmonton in the 2013 CFL Draft. The six-foot-four, 300-pound defender spent six seasons in the NFL with the Tennessee Titans, Buffalo Bills, Detroit Lions, Jacksonville Jaguars, Kansas City Chiefs, and Atlanta Falcons between 2013-2019. The Oshawa, Ontario native played in 49 games in the NFL, starting two, and amassed 60 total tackles, five sacks, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery.
Charles signed with Edmonton ahead of the 2019 season, but never played for the team before leaving in free agency to Ottawa ahead of the 2021 season. He totalled four tackles and one sack in nine games with the Redblacks last season.
Charles signed to return to Edmonton in free agency in February.
The Elks also released defensive back Bryce Cheek who the team signed on May 12.
