CFL Notebook: Wolitarsky Out, Stamps Cut Vets, Riders Sign Hay

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers released Canadian receiver Drew Wolitarsky on Monday.

Wolitarsky, 29, had 33 catches for 403 yards and a touchdown in 10 regular-season games in 2024.  He was reportedly due a five-figure roster bonus Saturday. Winnipeg selected Wolitarsky, an American by birth, in the ’17 CFL supplemental draft out of the University of Minnesota after he qualified for Canadian citizenship.

Over seven CFL seasons with Winnipeg, Wolitarsky registered 227  catches for 2,954 yards and 18 touchdowns in 96 career regular-season games. He was also a member of two Grey Cup-winning Bombers teams (2019, ’21).

The move comes just days after the club parted ways with veteran linebacker Adam Bighill.

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Roughriders sign veteran defensive lineman Shane Ray

REGINA — Shane Ray is back in the CFL.

The veteran defensive lineman signed with the Saskatchewan Roughriders on Monday. He returns to Canada following two seasons in the NFL with the Buffalo Bills and Tennessee Titans (2023-24).

Ray was originally a 2015 first-round pick (No. 23 overall) by the Denver Broncos and was a Super Bowl champion as a rookie with the club. He spent four seasons with the franchise (2015-18), recording 94 tackles (15 for loss), 14 sacks, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and a defensive touchdown. He then signed with the Baltimore Ravens before the 2019 season but was later released.

Ray, 31, spent two seasons with the Toronto Argonauts (2021-22) and was a ’22 Grey Cup champion with the club. He appeared in 10 regular-season games, registering 17 tackles, six sacks and two forced fumbles.

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Calgary Stampeders release veteran defensive linemen Rose, Vaughters

CALGARY — The Calgary Stampeders have released veteran American defensive linemen Mike Rose and James Vaughters.

Both players joined the Stampeders in 2017 although Vaughters also left Calgary for the NFL in 2019 and returned in 2023.

Rose appeared in 86 regular-season games with Calgary, registering 143 tackles (16 for loss), 36 sacks, two interceptions, three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. He was a four-time division all-star.

Over 57 CFL regular-season contests, Vaughters had 97 tackles (four for loss), eight special-teams stops, 21 sacks and three forced fumbles.

Ottawa Redblacks sign Canadian OL Ruby to one-year extension

OTTAWA — The Ottawa Redblacks have signed veteran Canadian offensive lineman Jacob Ruby to a one-year contract extension.

Ruby, 32, of London, Ont., was slated to become a free agent Feb. 11.

The six-foot-seven, 315-pound Ruby appeared in 17 regular-season games with Ottawa in 2024, seeing time at both guard and tackle.

Ruby is entering his fourth season with Ottawa. He began his CFL career with Montreal after being selected eighth overall by the Alouettes in the 2015 CFL draft.

He spent two seasons with the Als before joining Edmonton in 2017. Ruby spent four campaigns with the Elks before signing with Ottawa prior to the 2022 season.

(With files from Canadian Press)