Alouettes cut Landon Rice due to cap issues: June Jones

Landon Rice is back with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats a month after being traded to Montreal along with quarterback Johnny Manziel.

The Canadian offensive lineman was one of the pieces acquired by the Alouettes when they traded for Manziel and Tony Washington, a fellow offensive lineman, on July 22 for Canadian defensive end Jamaal Westerman, receiver Chris Williams and first-round picks in 2020 and 2021.

“When he left,” Tiger-Cats head coach June Jones said Tuesday shortly after the acquisition was announced, “I told him, ‘don’t be surprised if you’re back here next year or whenever,’ and it ended up working out.”

Rice played four games for the Als before he was released Thursday — a day before Montreal downed Toronto for its second win of the season and the 30-year-old from Brandon, Man., was due to have his salary guaranteed.

“Cap issues,” said Jones. “I’m sure that’s what happened with Montreal, and we got the opportunity to get him back and he’s been a solid guy for us.”

Rice, who took several reps at Tiger-Cats practice Tuesday, is expected to be back in his old spot in the lineup for Labour Day. Aside from his stopover in Montreal, Rice has played his entire five-year CFL career in Hamilton.