\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
![\"Toronto](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/0d0db758594061ea5b597ad916c0ee1bdbb433a1fd0fcac79b88e3c7c8af737b.jpg\")
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tToronto Argonauts running back Kevin Brown (6) jumps in the air as Ottawa Redblacks linebacker Adarius Pickett (6) makes a tackle during first half CFL football action in Ottawa, on Sunday, June 29, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS\/Spencer Colby<\/p>\n
The five-foot-11, 195-pound Pickett registered 164 total tackles (136 on defence), three sacks and two interceptions in 31 regular-season games over his two seasons with Ottawa. Pickett has also played for Toronto (2023) and Montreal (2021-22) during his CFL tenure.<\/p>\n
The move comes less than a month after Ottawa acquired linebacker Nyles Morgan from the Edmonton Elks. The Redblacks also have veteran Americans Jovan Santos-Knox and Frankie Griffin, with both slated for free agency.<\/p>\n
Ryan Dinwiddie, Ottawa\u2019s head coach\/GM, said Monday that while the Redblacks can envision Morgan as a starter, they remain open to retaining Santos-Knox.<\/p>\n
\u201cMaybe we\u2019ll be more of a three-down linebacker team with a three-down front,\u201d he said. \u201cWe haven\u2019t quite got there, that\u2019s what the next month is for, but a lot of appreciation for Santos-Knox.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u2014<\/p>\n
TICATS PROMOTE BAINES\u00a0<\/p>\n
The Hamilton Tiger-Cats are handing their offence over to Jarryd Baines.<\/p>\n
Baines, Hamilton\u2019s quarterback coach, was also given the offensive co-ordinator\u2019s duties Tuesday. Scott Milanovich served as head coach and offensive co-ordinator last season.<\/p>\n
Hamilton also signed Canadian offensive lineman Chris Kolankowski, who was recently released by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers (2021-25). The 33-year-old Toronto native is a seven-year CFL veteran who began his career with the Toronto Argonauts (2017-18).<\/p>\n
And former Ticats linebacker Devin Veresuk signed with the NFL\u2019s Indianapolis Colts. The move comes a day after Hamilton released Veresuk to pursue NFL opportunities.<\/p>\n
Veresuk, of Windsor, Ont., had 66 tackles, three special-teams tackles, two sacks, an interception, a forced fumble and scored two touchdowns in being named the East Division\u2019s top rookie last year. Hamilton selected the former University of Windsor star second overall in the \u201925 CFL draft.<\/p>\n
\u2014<\/p>\n
LIONS, SAYLES REACH DEAL\u00a0<\/p>\n
The B.C. Lions agreed to terms with American defensive lineman Casey Sayles on a two-year contract Tuesday.<\/p>\n
The six-foot-three, 290-pound Sayles spent three seasons with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats before being released last week. An All-CFL selection in 2023, Sayles, 30, had 122 tackles, 18 sacks and a forced fumble in 51 regular-season games with the Ticats.<\/p>\n
Sayles began his CFL career with Winnipeg (2021-22).<\/p>\n
\u2014<\/p>\n
BOMBERS WILL WAIT\u00a0<\/p>\n
Blue Bombers GM Kyle Walters continues to be patient with Canadian quarterback Tayler Elgersma.<\/p>\n
Winnipeg selected the \u201924 Hec Crighton Trophy winner in the second round, No. 18 overall, of last year\u2019s CFL draft. The former Wilfrid Laurier star signed as a free agent with the Green Bay Packers and was among the NFL club\u2019s final cuts in August.<\/p>\n
Elgersma has opted to keep his NFL options open rather than sign with Winnipeg. He has attended numerous NFL workouts and was taken in the \u201926 UFL draft on Monday by the Birmingham Stallions.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s going to see it (NFL) to the bitter end,\u201d Walters told reporters during a CFL video conference call. \u201cHopefully, if he doesn\u2019t have an (NFL) futures contract in February, then they\u2019ll turn their attention to the CFL.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut they are still 100 per cent focused on getting an NFL contract.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u2014<\/p>\n
LAUTHER REMAINS \u00a0WITH RIDERS, FOR NOW<\/p>\n
Veteran kicker Brett Lauther is still a member of the Grey Cup-champion Saskatchewan Roughriders. At least for now.<\/p>\n
The 35-year-old native of Truro, N.S., made 39-of-54 field goal attempts (72.2 per cent) last season. That was the second-worst success ratio of Lauther\u2019s eight-year CFL career and the worst of his seven seasons with Saskatchewan.<\/p>\n
Lauther is reportedly due a $25,000 roster bonus Feb. 1.<\/p>\n
\u201cBrett didn\u2019t have the year we had hoped, and he had hoped,\u201d Riders GM Jeremy O\u2019Day said. \u201cBut what we needed to do is try to weigh in kind of the entire career of how he\u2019s played, and then where do we think it goes from here.<\/p>\n
\u201cBrett\u2019s our kicker right now. We\u2019re always trying to look at ways to improve. Whether that remains the same, we\u2019ll have to wait and see.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u2014<\/p>\n
MCMANIS, ARGOS TALKING\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n\t\tWinnipeg Free Press | Newsletter\n\t<\/p>\n
\t\t\tThe Warm-Up<\/p>\n
Winnipeg Jets Game Days<\/p>\n
On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop.<\/p>\n