REGINA — Khalif Mitchell’s stay in Regina has been cut short, as the Saskatchewan Roughriders announced Monday they’ve released the veteran defensive tackle.
Mitchell joined the team’s practice roster back on Aug. 31 but in less than two weeks’ time has come to a mutual decision along with Chris Jones that a return this season wouldn’t be reasonable.
“After talking with Khalif we mutually agreed to part ways,” stated Roughriders general manager and head coach Chris Jones. “After sitting out for over a year we both agreed it would be difficult for Khalif to get physically ready to play in a professional football game at this point in the season.”
The six-year CFL veteran last suited up for the Montreal Alouettes in 2015 but was released before the start of the regular season. He’s also spent time with the BC Lions and Toronto Argonauts.
Now 31, Mitchell is a two-time CFL All-Star and won a Grey Cup Championship with BC in 2011, the same place he started his career a year earlier.
The 6-foot-5, 316-pound interior lineman has 14 sacks in 63 games played, including a career-high six in the Lions’ Grey Cup-winning season.
Mitchell did not suit up for a game during his stay with the Riders, who seek their second win of the season on Sunday afternoon at Mosaic Stadium against the Edmonton Eskimos.
