THE CANADIAN PRESS
EDMONTON — The Edmonton Eskimos released import running back Arkee Whitlock and import wide receiver Ray Fisher on Sunday.
Whitlock was in his third season with the Eskimos and had started in 28 regular season games with Edmonton.
In that time he ran for 2,074 yards and 16 touchdowns on 246 carries. He also had 58 catches for 479 yards and two touchdowns and returned 19 kickoffs for 290 yards.
“Parting ways with a player of Arkee’s ability is never an easy decision, but we’re pleased with the play of our other running backs,” said head coach Kavis Reed in a statement.
Whitlock made a splash in his rookie season in 2009. He rushed 211 times for 1,293 yards and 12 touchdowns and hauled in 44 catches for 292 yards and a touchdown. He was the Eskimos’ nominee for Rookie of the Year.
A promising start to the 2010 season was halted when Whitlock suffered a season-ending foot injury in the Labour Day Classic.
He began the 2011 season on the one-game injured list with a hamstring injury before being activated for the last two games. He had 17 carries for 92 yards, two catches for nine yards and five kickoff returns for 93 yards.
Fisher was in his first year with the Eskimos and had two catches for 21 yards in two games. He also had three kickoff returns for 71 yards, three punt returns for 25 yards and a missed field goal return for six yards.
