Ticats bring back American receiver Jon’Vea Johnson

Photo courtesy: AP Photo/Duane Burleson

The Hamilton Tiger-Cats have brought back American receiver Jon’Vea Johnson.

Johnson spent training camp with the team in 2023 but was released as part of final roster cuts. He caught two passes in the preseason for 27 yards.

The six-foot, 192-pound target spent the 2022 season on the Montreal Alouettes’ practice roster after previously bouncing around the NFL with the Dallas Cowboys, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Chicago Bears. Johnson made 120 receptions for 2,186 yards and 24 touchdowns over four seasons at the University of Toledo (2015-18), earning second-team All-Mid-American Conference honour in 2016 and third-team status in 2018.

The team also announced the release of Canadian fullback Myles Manalo and placed Canadian defensive tackle Reece Martin on the suspended list.

Manalo was a sixth-round pick in the 2021 CFL Draft and has played 12 games with the team the past two years, recording two special teams tackles. He converted from linebacker to fullback mid-way through the 2022 season.

The six-foot-two, 230-pounder played 21 games over two seasons at Western University at linebacker and made 70 total tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, one fumble recovery, one interception, and two pass breakups. He won a Vanier Cup as a member of the Mustangs in 2017.

Martin was selected with the 31st overall pick in the fourth round of the 2023 CFL Draft. He has played 29 games at Mount Allison University and recorded 67.5 tackles, 12.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, and six pass knockdowns.