The Ottawa Redblacks have released ten players from their rosters, including Canadian offensive lineman Andrew Pickett.
The native of Kitchener, Ont. was a third-round pick in the 2018 CFL Draft out of the University of Guelph. He missed his first two professional seasons due to injury and the third due to the cancellation of the CFL season amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Pickett dressed for 13 games in 2021 and made five starts — four at centre and one at right guard. The six-foot-three, 322-pound blocker remains just 26 years old.
Ottawa also released American running back Sirgeo Hoffman, American receiver Jordan Smallwood, Global receiver Anthony Mahoungou, American offensive lineman Justice Powers, American defensive lineman Howard Stephens, Canadian linebacker Jersey Henry, American linebacker Dwayne Norman, American linebacker Xavier Woodson Luster, and American defensive back Anthoula Kelly Jr.
CFL teams are required to trim their rosters to 75 players by 11:59 p.m. EST on the day following their first preseason game. The Redblacks defeated the Toronto Argonauts in preseason action on Friday night by a score of 23-17.
Ottawa moved American receiver Ryan Davis and Canadian defensive back Treshaun Abrahams-Webster to the six-game injured list. Davis had a productive season with the club in 2021 as a CFL rookie, recording 55 receptions for 589 yard and two touchdowns over 14 starts at slotback.
The Redblacks also signed American defensive lineman Will Kiely and American defensive back Marloshawn Franklin.
