Photo courtesy: Bob Butrym/RFB Sport Photography

The Hamilton Tiger-Cats have released 23 players to comply with the CFL’s mandatory 2026 roster cutdown deadline, including veteran Canadian defensive end Kene Onyeka.

Onyeka was signed as a free agent in February after playing 15 games for the Ottawa Redblacks in 2025, recording one defensive tackle and 11 special teams tackles. He received a $10,000 signing bonus to ink his deal with Hamilton during free agency, according to 3DownNation insider Justin Dunk.

The 29-year-old was originally selected in the fourth round, 29th overall, during the 2018 CFL Draft. Through 81 career three-down league games, he has recorded 55 defensive tackles, 55 special teams tackles, 11 sacks, and two forced fumbles.

The six-foot-three, 244-pound pass rusher attended Carleton University, where he was twice named a first-team U Sports All-Canadian during his collegiate career. Born in Lagos, Nigeria, but raised in Brampton, Ont., Onyeka is the younger brother of current Calgary Stampeders defensive back Godfrey Onyeka. His three cousins — Nakas, Kosi, and Ifenna — all spent time in the CFL as well.

The other players the Ticats released include: American running backs Avery Morrow and Trent Battle; American receivers Moochie Dixon, Blayne Taylor, Kyrese Rowan, JerJuan Newton, and Xavier Malone; Canadian offensive lineman Riley Schick; American offensive linemen Eric Lofton, Temi Ajirotutu, and Julian Pearl; Canadian defensive linemen Ty Anderson and Kyler Laing; American defensive lineman Caiden Woullard; Canadian linebacker Marc Rondeau; American defensive backs Kaleb Ford-Dement, Zyon Gilbert, Cameron Stone, Stephen Douglas, Jordan Kwiatkowski, and Cameron Bergeron; and Canadian kicker Zachary Copeland.

Newton’s release is notable after he recorded three catches for 87 yards and three touchdowns in the team’s preseason finale on Friday in Guelph.

Lofton has spent time with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, Saskatchewan Roughriders, Edmonton Elks, and Ottawa Redblacks. In 41 CFL games, he has made 36 starts at either right or left tackle.

Anderson was a fourth-round pick, 36th overall, in the 2025 CFL Draft out of the University of Alberta. He dressed for nine games last season, but did not register a statistic.

Hamilton also added the following 12 players to their practice roster: American running back Nahree Biggins; Global tight end Jevoni Robinson; American receiver Jaelen Gill; Canadian offensive lineman Brayden Szeman; Canadian defensive lineman Aamarii Notice; American defensive linemen De’Jon Benton and Brian Ugwu; American linebacker Craig Young; Canadian defensive backs Ronan Horrall and Jake Nitychoruk; American defensive back Zamari Walton; and Global punter Nick Haberer.

The Hamilton Tiger-Cats will play their first regular-season game against the Montreal Alouettes on Thursday, June 4. The team finished first in the East Division standings in 2025 with an 11-7 record, though the team lost the East Final to the Montreal Alouettes.