Ottawa Redblacks cut starting defender

Photo: Guang Quan/3DownNation. All rights reserved.

The Ottawa Redblacks have released American defensive back Benny Sapp III, the team announced on Tuesday.

The five-foot-eleven, 200-pound defender dressed for six regular-season games with the club this year, making four starts at strong-side linebacker and one start at boundary halfback. He recorded 16 defensive tackles, one tackle for loss, and one forced fumble.

The 26-year-old made three starts with the Calgary Stampeders at field-side halfback earlier this season, recording seven defensive tackles. He was cut by the team in July.

The native of Fort Lauderdale, Fla. played six regular-season games with the Saskatchewan Roughriders in 2025, making 19 defensive tackles, three special teams tackles, and one forced fumble.

Sapp III played five regular-season games with the Green Bay Packers in 2023, recording two tackles. He also had a stint on the practice roster with the Atlanta Falcons in 2024.

The Ottawa Redblacks (0-15) will visit the B.C. Lions (9-6) on Friday, October 9 with kickoff scheduled for 10:00 p.m. EDT. The Redblacks are coming off a loss to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, while the Lions have won seven of their last eight matchups.

The game will be broadcast on TSN in Canada and CFL+ internationally. Radio listeners can tune-in on TSN 1200 in Ottawa and 730 CKNW (English) or Sher-E-Punjab Radio AM 600 (Punjabi) in Vancouver.