Winnipeg Blue Bombers cut two from training camp roster, sign three

Graphic: 3DownNation

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers have released American defensive backs Shyheim Battle and Robert Javier from their training camp roster, the team announced on Monday.

Battle signed with the team in January after spending the 2025 season in the now-defunct European League of Football with the Frankfurt Galaxy, where he made 68 total tackles, four tackles for loss, 10 pass breakups, an interception, and a forced fumble.

The six-foot-three, 196-pound defender attended North Carolina State University, where he racked up 144 tackles, six tackles for loss, one sack, seven interceptions, 32 pass breakups, and one fumble recovery across 48 games. He was twice named an honourable mention All-ACC selection with the Wolfpack.

The native of Rocky Mount, N.C. signed with the New York Jets as an undrafted free agent following the 2024 NFL Draft, but was released before training camp. He dressed for Winnipeg’s 31-27 preseason loss to the Saskatchewan Roughriders on Saturday but didn’t register a statistic.

Javier joined the Blue Bombers as a free agent in February. He spent time on the practice roster with the Saskatchewan Roughriders in 2024 and attended training camp with the team in 2025, though he was released as part of final roster cuts.

The six-foot-one, 195-pound defender originally signed with the Tennessee Titans after going unselected in the 2024 NFL Draft, but was cut by the team at the end of training camp.

The native of Bronx, N.Y. recorded two tackles and one pass knockdown against the Roughriders on Saturday.

The Blue Bombers have also signed American receiver Kenneth Womack and American defensive linemen Arnold Young and Michael Fletcher. All three players were recently released but have now returned to the team.

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers opened training camp on May 10. The team lost 31-27 in its first preseason game against the Saskatchewan Roughriders. Winnipeg’s second preseason game is against the B.C. Lions on Friday, May 29. Final roster cuts are due on Saturday, May 30, after which the team will play its first regular-season game against the Calgary Stampeders on Friday, June 5.

Winnipeg recently selected Wake Forest defensive lineman Nuer Gatkuoth with their first-round pick in the 2026 CFL Draft, adding to the club’s pass rush. The team’s other major offseason additions include receiver Tim White, offensive lineman Jarell Broxton, and defensive lineman Jake Ceresna.

In 2025, the Blue Bombers finished fourth in the West Division standings with a 10-8 record, qualifying for the playoffs as the crossover team before losing the East Semi-Final to the Montreal Alouettes.