The Ottawa Redblacks have agreed to terms with a trio of American defensive backs, sources have confirmed to 3DownNation. Barring anything unforeseen, Amari Henderson, Nafees Lyon, and Robert Priester will join the team next season.
Henderson has spent the last three seasons with the Saskatchewan Roughriders, stepping in at multiple positions in the secondary. He dressed for just eight contests in 2024, the fewest of his career.
The 27-year-old has appeared in 37 career games, making 109 defensive tackles, one special teams tackle, two interceptions, and two forced fumbles.
Lyon played 10 games last season with the Montreal Alouettes, starting nine at cornerback while recording 31 defensive tackles, one special teams tackle, and one interception. He played just one game in 2023 before suffering a season-ending knee injury.
The 28-year-old native of Charlotte, N.C. started his CFL career as a member of the Edmonton Elks in 2021 and was traded to Montreal the following year. He has made 113 defensive tackles, two special teams tackle, five interceptions, one sack, and one forced fumble over 30 career regular-season games.
Priester played 11 games for the Toronto Argonauts last season at strong-side linebacker, making 28 defensive tackles, a sack, and a forced fumble. In three seasons with the team, the 31-year-old has appeared in 26 games while making 59 defensive tackles, four special teams tackles, two sacks, and three forced fumbles. Priester helped the team claim Grey Cup titles in 2022 and 2024.
The five-foot-eight, 180-pound defender began his CFL career with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in 2018, making seven tackles in two appearances. Despite two stops in Edmonton and a brief return to Winnipeg, he did not play another game until signing with Toronto in 2022.
Pending free agents can negotiate with teams across the league during the current window, which closes on February 9. Players can agree to terms on a contract with a particular team for 2025, however, these deals aren’t legally binding and can’t be finalized or made official until after free agency opens on February 11.
