The Winnipeg Blue Bombers have suspended American kick returner Janarion Grant, who reported to training camp on Sunday but has generally not participated in practice.
The 29-year-old recorded five return touchdowns in 2022, three in the regular season and two more in the playoffs. His most recent return touchdown was a record-setting 102-yard return that came during the team’s Grey Cup loss to Toronto.
Grant was named a CFL all-star after recording 817 punt return yards and 782 kickoff return yards in 16 regular season games in 2023. Last season, he became the Blue Bombers’ all-time leader in regular-season kick return touchdowns with seven.
On Wednesday, head coach Mike O’Shea indicated that Grant needed time to tend to a personal matter and is expected to return to the team.
The Blue Bombers also released 11 players, cutting American quarterback Billy Hall, Global receiver Timothy Knuettel, American offensive lineman Payton Muljo, Canadian offensive lineman Brandon Sanford, American defensive linemen Jadrian Taylor and Julius Turner, American linebacker Christian Dixon, Canadian defensive back Charles-Antoine Beaulieu, American defensive backs Gee Stanley and Deuce Wallace, and American punter Devin Anctil.
Winnipeg also signed American receiver Sean Coyne and American defensive lineman Keenan Agnew.
All CFL teams were required to trim their rosters to 75 players plus non-counters by late Tuesday night. A non-counter is any rookie who was drafted or attending training camp as a territorial exemption.
