The Hamilton Tiger-Cats have signed American defensive end Nick Usher, per sources.
The 29-year-old finished the 2023 season with the B.C. Lions, playing in four games and recording one defensive tackle. He was released by the Montreal Alouettes in July after spending three seasons with the team, registering five tackles and a sack through the first five games of the year.
The six-foot-four, 256-pound pass rusher first arrived in the CFL with the Edmonton Elks in 2018, following stints with the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots. He had his best campaign the following season, collecting 36 tackles and six sacks before signing with the Las Vegas Raiders.
After being waived in training camp, Usher returned to Canada the following year and joined the Alouettes. In his first season, he recorded 34 tackles and four sacks in 14 games, before notching 29 tackles and three sacks in 14 games in 2022.
In 62 career CFL games, Usher has amassed 113 defensive tackles, three special teams tackles, 16 sacks, and six forced fumbles. He attended the University of Texas-El Paso from 2013 to 2016, collecting 178 tackles and 11 sacks in 49 contests.
The Ticats open the 2024 regular season by visiting the Calgary Stampeders at McMahon Stadium on Friday, June 7.
