The Hamilton Tiger-Cats have released Global punter Joel Whitford.
The 29-year-old Australian dressed for 12 games in 2021 and punted 68 times for a gross average of 45.1 yards per punt and a net average of 37.4 yards per punt. He was a first-round pick in the 2021 CFL Global Draft out of Washington.
The Ticats have had American specialist Simon Laryea handling the punting duties so far this season and he’s averaged 43.6 gross yards per punt and 35.2 net yards per punt.
Hamilton also confirmed the acquisition of American offensive lineman Colin Kelly via trade from the Edmonton Elks. The Ticats gave up a seventh-round pick in the 2023 CFL Draft to secure Kelly’s rights.
The 32-year-old has played 76 games over his seven seasons in the CFL with Edmonton (2017-22) and Ottawa (2014-15). The six-foot-five, 298-pound native of Longview, Wa. also spent time in the NFL with the Kansas City Chiefs (2013-14) and San Francisco 49ers (2016).
