Ottawa Redblacks agree to terms with veteran LB Jovan Santos-Knox

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The Ottawa Redblacks have agreed to terms on a two-year contract through the 2024 season with linebacker Jovan Santos-Knox, per sources.

The 28-year-old made 105 defensive tackles, one sack and one interception this past season over 17 starts at middle linebacker with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. He was named an East Division all-star for the first time in his career.

The six-foot-two, 233-pound defender started his CFL playing days in 2017 as a member of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. He recorded 129 defensive tackles, 20 special teams tackles, eight sacks, three forced fumbles and two interceptions over two seasons with the team before choosing the depart in free agency.

Santos-Knox signed with the Edmonton Elks in February 2019 but dressed for only three games with the team due to injury. He made 13 defensive tackles, one special teams tackle and one sack. He opted out of his CFL contract in August 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic before joining the Ticats as a free agent in February 2021.

Pending free agents from around the league are currently permitted to negotiate contracts as part of the CFL’s “legal tampering” period that opened this past weekend. The window will close on Sunday, Feb. 12 before free agency officially gets underway on Tuesday, Feb. 14 at noon eastern time.