The Ottawa Redblacks have released starting running back Ryquell Armstead and signed Jamal Morrow, formerly of the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
Armstead started all 11 games for the Redblacks this season, recording 125 carries for 623 yards and three touchdowns. He also caught 35 passes for 284 yards.
The five-foot-eleven, 221-pound ball-carrier signed with the Redblacks immediately following the 2023 season. He was a fifth-round pick of the Jacksonville Jaguars in the 2019 NFL Draft and dressed for 18 games over three seasons with the team, recording 50 carries for 188 yards and 17 receptions for 160 yards and two touchdowns.
Armstead had also previously been a member of the New York Giants, New Orleans Saints, Green Bay Packers, and the DC Defenders of the XFL. He ran for 2,812 yards and 34 touchdowns over 29 collegiate games at Temple University and was named first-team All-AAC as a senior.
Morrow played 16 games for the Riders last season, rushing for 907 yards and four touchdowns and catching 36 passes for 349 yards and one score. He played 12 games in 2022, his first as a CFL starter, and rushed for 666 yards with three touchdowns and caught 43 passes for 366 yards with one touchdown.
The 29-year-old native of Menifee, Calif. became a free agent in February and was supposed to sign with the Stampeders, though he was still recovering from a wrist injury. He tried to join Calgary again in July, though he failed his physical.
In total, Morrow has rushed for 1,614 yards and seven touchdowns, caught 82 passes for 744 yards and two touchdowns, and returned 48 kickoffs for 1,031 yards in the CFL.
The Redblacks have also signed American defensive back C.J. Coldon and released American defensive back Elijah Blades.
Coldon was in training camp with the Saskatchewan Roughriders but was released as part of the team’s final cuts.
The five-foot-ten, 186-pound cover man signed with the Minnesota Vikings after going unselected in the 2023 NFL Draft but was released at the end of training camp. He was added to the practice roster shortly thereafter but was released again on Nov. 1.
The native of Belleville, Ill. was named an All-Big 12 honourable mention in 2022 after transferring to the University of Oklahoma. He made 42 defensive tackles, two tackles for loss, four interceptions, and six pass knockdowns over 12 games with the Sooners.
Coldon originally started his collegiate career at the University of Wyoming where he recorded 115 defensive tackles, seven tackles for loss, one sack, two interceptions, 16 pass knockdowns, and two fumble recoveries over 24 games. He was named second-team All-Mountain West in 2021.
The Redblacks (7-3-1) will host the Toronto Argonauts on Saturday, Sept. 7 with kickoff slated for 1:00 p.m. EDT.
