Riders release two running backs, Kienan LaFrance and Shakir Bell

Saskatchewan has let running backs Kienan LaFrance and Shakir Bell go.

LaFrance inked a two-year deal, originally scheduled to go through the 2018 season, with the Riders during free agency in 2017 in the $110,000 range. He played in 13 games for Saskatchewan rushing 68 times for 273 yards and two touchdowns while catching 14 passes for 123 yards and one major. The 26-year-old played two seasons in Ottawa to start his CFL career after being picked in the sixth round, 45th overall in the 2015 CFL draft.

Bell signed with the Riders in November, but he did not play a game for Saskatchewan on a deal that was for the remainder of the 2017 season. The 25-year-old was a pending free agent.

He broke into the league with Edmonton and spent two years with the Eskimos (2015 and 2016) rushing for 1,058 yards and two touchdowns while making 34 catches for 312 yards and two touchdowns over two seasons and 15 games.