Saskatchewan Roughriders bring back Global standout Habakkuk Baldonado after Redblacks release

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The Saskatchewan Roughriders have signed Global defensive lineman Habakkuk Baldonado following his release by the Ottawa Redblacks on Monday.

The 27-year-old played eight regular-season games with Ottawa in 2026, recording eight defensive tackles, two tackles for loss, and two sacks. He originally signed with the team in free agency, becoming the highest-paid Global player in CFL history. His contract was worth $185,000 in hard money, which also made him the eleventh-highest-paid defensive lineman in the CFL.

Baldonado has played 44 career regular-season games with the Saskatchewan Roughriders and Redblacks, making 39 defensive tackles, four special teams tackles, eight sacks, one pass knockdown, and one forced fumble. The six-foot-four, 251-pound pass rusher helped the Roughriders win last year’s Grey Cup, recording two tackles in the win over Montreal.

The native of Rome, Italy, was a second-round pick in the 2023 CFL Global Draft out of the University of Pittsburgh, where he was named second-team All-ACC in 2021. He also had a stint with the New York Giants in 2023.

The reacquisition of Baldonado could have implications for Saskatchewan’s roster far beyond the defensive line rotation. As CFL teams are only allowed to dress a maximum of two Global players, his presence would allow the team to look at alternative options to struggling Australian kicker Alex Hale.

The Saskatchewan Roughriders (8-4) will visit the Winnipeg Blue Bombers (6-6) at Princess Auto Stadium on Saturday, September 12, with kickoff scheduled for 4:00 p.m. EDT. The two teams met in the Labour Day Classic last week, where the Roughriders won 32-26 in overtime at Mosaic Stadium.

The weather forecast in Toronto calls for a high of 15 degrees and sun. The game will be broadcast on TSN, CTV, and Crave in Canada, and CFL+ internationally. Radio listeners can tune in to 620 CKRM in Regina or CJOB 680 in Winnipeg.