The Edmonton Eskimos’ roster is still swelling ahead of Friday’s preseason game against the B.C. Lions, but they’re one body lighter on Thursday morning.
The Eskimos announced the release of linebacker Ryan Rau. The 23-year-old signed with the team on Feb. 26. He was previously with the Philadelphia Eagles through the 2012 season, before a pair of brief stops with the Cleveland Browns and the Carolina Panthers last year.
The Eskimos roster jumped back up a spot before practice was over. Ra’Shon Harris, a six-foot-five, 300-pound defensive lineman, was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the sixth-round of the NFL Draft in 2009. He’s had stops in Carolina and Buffalo as well.
There are 84 players in camp with the Eskimos. Teams have to cut their rosters down to 65 players by 11:59 p.m. ET on Sunday, as CFL PR man Jamie Dykstra recently informed fans.
Clarification: prior to 11:59pm EDT on Sunday June 15, all #CFL teams must reduce their roster to 65 players – Excluding non-counters—
Jamie Dykstra (@CFL_PR) June 11, 2014
(2/2) 10pm EDT Saturday, June 21, all #CFL Teams must reduce their roster to 46 active players – minimum of 20 non-import players #CFLTC14—
Jamie Dykstra (@CFL_PR) June 11, 2014
Depth chart posted
The Esks’ depth chart went up this morning and you can check it out here. Some notables from it:
Key injured players include receivers Shamawd Chambers and Nate Coehoorn and Akeem Foster (all non-imports); centre Justin Sorensen, running back John White and linebacker Mike Miller.
Other notables from the depth chart (depending on its accuracy and considering it’s a preseason game):
- QB order goes: Reilly, Nichols, Crompton, Harris, White
- Andrew Jones has the start over Matt O’Donnell at right guard.
- K/P order goes: Zack Medeiros, Grant Shaw, Hugh O’Neill.
- Pat Watkins is listed as the starting halfback. He spent the last two seasons playing boundary corner in Toronto, picking up a slew of interceptions and a pair of CFL all-star nods. Marcell Young and Robert Sands will start at cornerback on Friday.
- Ryan Hinds is listed as the team’s starting safety.
- A.J. Guyton and Jamal Miles will handle return duties.
