Can’t stop, won’t stop: Ottawa extends three more pending free agents

Photo courtesy: Scott Grant/CFLPhotoArchive.com

The Ottawa Redblacks have re-signed a trio of defensive players for the 2022 season, with linebackers Dwayne Norman and Shaheed Salmon, and defensive back Ranthony Texada extending with the team.

Norman, 26, joined the Redblacks for his fourth CFL season after spending three with the Calgary Stampeders. In a career-high nine games this season, the Jacksonville, Fla. native recorded three special teams tackles, three defensive tackles, his first career sack, and one forced fumble in a depth role.

Salmon, 26, suited up for 12 games in his second season with Ottawa. Hailing from Tampa, Fla., he tallied 12 tackles on special teams, as well as a forced fumble, and four tackles on defence in a depth role.

Texada’s first CFL season saw him appear in three games for the Redblacks at field-side cornerbacker. The 26 year-old native of Frisco, Tex. recorded a total of 11 tackles, including a career-high of six against the Montreal Alouettes on November 19.

The Redblacks have now extended the contracts of fifteen pending free agents this off-season, which is remarkable considering the postseason has yet to get underway. Ottawa finished the regular season at the bottom of the East Division standings with a 3-11 record.

The club’s original free agent list can be found here.